CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Commonwealth Games 2002

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Government's financial support for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 25 June 2001
	The Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 will be the biggest multi-sport event ever held in the United Kingdom. They will leave a lasting sporting, economic and social legacy.
	The Minister of State, Cabinet Office explained, in evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on 20 March 2001, that Manchester City Council, with the Government, had arranged a review of the finances and organisation of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next year as a build up to the Games moves from the planning to the implementation phase.
	Following the review, conscious of the benefits the Games will bring to the nation as a whole, the Government have agreed to provide from existing resources up to £30 million to support the Games. Sport England has agreed to provide up to £30 million to support the Games' costs in addition to its existing contribution to capital facilities, and Manchester City Council will make available a further £45 million. £25 million of these funds will be held jointly by the three parties as a contingency fund. This support is additional to the £10.5 million which the Government have already made available towards the costs of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Commonwealth Games, and marks the full extent of the financial support that the Government are prepared to make available.
	The Government consider that this package should give the Games' organisation sufficient certainty to deliver the Games. Manchester City Council continues to retain ultimate financial responsibility for the Games.
	Discussions continue about the make up and timing of the package of financial support. The Government, Manchester City Council and Sport England will be working with the Games' organisers to strengthen the management arrangements for the control of expenditure.

Culture Online

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the cost to public funds to date of developing Culture Online.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 25 June 2001
	The cost of public funds to date of developing Culture Online is £1,196,543. This has been spent on: producing illustrative materials outlining how Culture Online will operate; producing the Vision for Culture Online; providing a website to host these materials and the Vision; extensive consultation with the cultural and education sectors; market research; employing consultants to develop the business case for Culture Online; and employing lawyers to advise on Intellectual Property Rights issues for Culture Online.

National Stadium

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the proposals for (a) Pickett's Lock athletics stadium and (b) Wembley Stadium.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire (Mr. Pickthall) on 25 June 2001, Official Report, column 37W and to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 80W.

Community Sports Stadiums

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to expand community sports stadiums throughout the country.

Richard Caborn: The Government support the expansion of sport and leisure facilities through various means including direct funding from the Sports Lottery Fund, Space for Sports and Arts and the New Opportunities Fund. Our Plan for Sport sets out how we aim to encourage local authorities to carry out research into the existing sport and leisure facilities in their areas and recommends that each local authority should develop a sports strategy over the next five years which, through consultation with the relevant agencies, ensures that new and enhanced indoor and outdoor facilities provide equal opportunity for participation.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Local Government Finance

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to publish his timetable for the review of local government finance; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: September's local government finance Green Paper set out our plans for reform of the local government finance system. An analysis of the responses we received on this and other issues was published on our website in March. A White Paper setting out our decisions on the way forward will be published later this year.

Railways

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what moneys have been allocated to Scotland from the Railway Development Fund.

David Jamieson: The SRA's plans and priorities for development of the Rail Modernisation Fund will be set out in the Authority's Strategic Plan in the autumn. Funds will be allocated on the basis of value for money and affordability.

Electoral Law

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he intends to bring section 141 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 into force; how many persons who are (a) eligible and (b) registered to vote he estimates will be disfranchised as a result; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Section 141 will be brought into force shortly, when the second Commencement Order for the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act 2000 is laid.
	11,496 overseas electors were registered as of 15 February 2001. But there is no requirement on electoral administrators to provide information about how long overseas electors have been resident outside the UK. Hence the figures requested are not available.

Millennium Dome

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what responsibilities his Department has for the sale of the Millennium Dome and the regeneration of the Greenwich site; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: My noble and learned Friend Lord Falconer is responsible in my Department for all issues relating to the future use of the Millennium Dome, including the sponsorship of English Partnerships, the Government's urban regeneration agency, which owns part of the Greenwich Peninsula, including the Dome site and the structure itself.

Millennium Dome

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what responsibilities Lord Falconer has for the sale of the Millennium Dome and the regeneration of the Greenwich site; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: My noble and learned Friend Lord Falconer of Thoroton is Minister for Housing and Planning. Among other duties he is responsible for urban policy and regeneration issues, which includes sponsorship of English Partnerships, the Government's urban regeneration agency. English Partnerships own the Dome site and other land. He is responsible for the Dome sale process.

Public-Private Performance Comparisons

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what methods his Department uses to make direct comparisons of improved performance in the public and private sectors; and what have been the findings of this analysis since it was introduced.

Alan Whitehead: The Department makes no direct comparisons between the private and public sectors. But the Government have introduced a comprehensive framework for local government to enable it to improve service delivery through best value. All authorities are required to report their performance annually against key indicators, whether the service is delivered directly by the authority, or by private sector providers. This information is published in authorities' Best Value Performance Plans by the end of March each year.

Transport Council

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the outcome was of the Transport Council meeting held in Luxembourg on 27 to 28 June.

John Spellar: The Transport Council met in Luxembourg on 28 June. I represented the United Kingdom, together with Sarah Boyack MSP, Minister for Transport in the Scottish Executive.
	The Council opened with debates on a number of maritime issues.
	A common position was adopted on the draft regulation putting into Community law the recent agreement reached in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the accelerated phasing in of double hull oil tankers.
	The Council reached a common orientation on a draft directive which seeks to improve controls on shipping movements, notably for vessels with hazardous cargoes. Two outstanding issues were debated. Firstly, the Commission introduced a new proposal giving a precise timetable for the retrofitting of Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs) to cargo vessels if no agreement was reached in the IMO. I was among Ministers unable to accept such a precise text. On the second issue, that of restrictions on ships leaving port in exceptionally bad weather or sea conditions, I joined others in expressing concern that legal uncertainties could arise. I also sought to clarify that a member state could only enforce reporting requirements on vessels in areas where it had jurisdiction in international law. A revised text was produced on which Ministers were able to reach common orientation, although I maintained a reserve on the VDR text.
	Common approaches were agreed for member states to negotiate in the IMO on the retrofitting of VDRs to cargo vessels, and in the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF) on an increase in the limits for compensation to be paid in cases of major oil spills.
	A common orientation was also agreed on a draft directive on the harmonisation of reporting formalities for ships. The aim of the proposal is to simplify procedures for ships arriving at and departing from Community ports, through the acceptance of a common set of IMO forms.
	The French Minister, Jean-Claude Gayssot, and I presented a joint proposal urging the Community to bring into force a number of International Conventions relating to marine liability and compensation and pollution from ships. We had, prior to the Council, jointly signed a letter on this issue to our EU counterparts.
	The Commissioner reported on the principal elements of the forthcoming White Paper on a strategy for the Common Transport Policy. She hoped that the White Paper would be adopted soon. It is expected to outline some 60 separate measures to address traffic congestion, increased mobility and demand, and sustainable development.
	Council Conclusions were adopted on the Galileo satellite navigation project. I joined other Ministers in noting that more work was needed on the selection of services, the cost-benefit analysis and the securing of private sector finance. The Commission also presented a draft regulation on management of the development phase of Galileo by a joint undertaking.
	Over lunch, there was a discussion of the Commission's Single European Sky proposals, aimed at improving air traffic management in Europe and reducing delays.
	The Council discussed aircraft noise issues. The Commission reported on ongoing discussions with the US on hushkits, and said that, subject to developments at the General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in September, a proposal would be brought forward to replace the Hushkits Regulation.
	The Presidency presented a progress report on the proposed regulation to establish a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It sought agreement on two of the outstanding questions: coverage of third country aircraft, and the mechanism to appoint the Executive Director. The Council agreed that the Commission should bring forward proposals on application to third country aircraft, where justified, as part of future work on essential requirements for airline operations. The Council accepted that the executive Director of the EASA should be appointed by four-fifths majority of the Management Board, on the basis of a proposal by the Commission. There will be further discussion under the Belgian Presidency, notably on institutional aspects.
	The Council discussed an amendment to Regulation 2027/97 on air carrier liability, and political agreement was reached on a common position. The amendment will have the effect of increasing the levels of carriers' liability to passengers. The Council has already signed the Montreal Convention, with a view to ratification, and the two measures together significantly strengthen the protection afforded to air passengers in the Community.
	The Council agreed Conclusions affirming the voluntary agreements reached with airlines on air passenger rights.
	There was a progress report from the Commission on proposals to update the state aid rules and procurement procedures for public transport services by rail, road and inland waterway. The Commission indicated that there were difficulties in agreeing the proposal. Sarah Boyack noted the United Kingdom's support for the general principle of the regulation, but pointed out that its application to traditional and complex underground railway systems needed careful reflection.
	There was also a progress report on a draft directive on training of professional drivers for the carriage of goods or passengers.
	The Commission presented its proposals on three issues in the "road package": an amendment to Directive 91/439 on driving licences; an amendment to Regulation 3820/85 on drivers' hours; and an amendment to Directive 92/6 on the use of speed limitation devices, extending compulsory fitting of them to vehicles above 3.5 tonnes. No decisions were taken.
	Under other business, the Commission presented a new proposal on airport slot allocation. It also reported on the implementation of the package of rail transport measures adopted by the Council last year, noting its intention to propose a second package of measures, including a directive on rail safety regulation and the establishment of a European Rail Agency. Also under other business, the Commission reported on progress in aviation negotiations with Central and Eastern European countries and with Cyprus; co-operation with Euro-Mediterranean partners on transport and energy; and discussions with Russia on the issue of charges imposed for Siberian overflights.

Bus Deregulation

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of deregulation on securing a comprehensive network of public bus services.

Sally Keeble: The historical impacts of bus deregulation in 1986 were studied closely in the policy review which preceded the 1998 Transport White Paper. In the decade after 1986, operated bus mileage outside London increased overall by 25 per cent. The position necessarily varies from place to place. It is primarily for local authorities, in developing their bus strategies within local transport plans, to assess the adequacy of the bus network and to take appropriate action within the framework of their new powers in the Transport Act 2000. We are making additional funding available through the rural bus grant and the rural and urban bus challenge schemes.

A3

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the traffic figures for the A3 between Robin Hood roundabout and Roehampton Lane for each of the last 10 years.

David Jamieson: The estimated annual average daily traffic flows for all motor vehicles on the A3 at Roehampton Vale from 1990 to 2000 are:
	
		
			  Year Estimated annual average daily flow 
		
		
			 1991 86,200 
			 1992 87,400 
			 1993 85,300 
			 1994 79,900 
			 1995 79,900 
			 1996 80,800 
			 1997 93,200 
			 1998 92,500 
			 1999 81,600 
			 2000 76,400

A3

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the accident figures for the A3 between Robin Hood roundabout and Roehampton Lane for each of the last 10 years.

David Jamieson: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		Accidents on the A3 between the Robin Hood roundabout and Roehampton Lane: 1991–2000
		
			 Year Fatal Serious Slight All 
		
		
			 1991 1 5 17 23 
			 1992 0 3 19 22 
			 1993 0 2 12 14 
			 1994 0 1 10 11 
			 1995 0 1 17 18 
			 1996 0 4 10 14 
			 1997 0 2 16 18 
			 1998 0 0 14 14 
			 1999 0 0 16 16 
			 2000 0 0 9 9

Kemble/Swindon Rail Track

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with Railtrack on the re-doubling of the track between Kemble and Swindon.

David Jamieson: holding answer 3 July 2001
	None.

East-West Rail Route

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to take forward the proposals in the Strategic Rail Authority's London East/West Study.

David Jamieson: As my predecessor announced on 3 May 2001, Official Report, column 739W, under the guidance of the High-Level Group the Strategic Rail Authority and Transport for London are jointly taking forward work on project definition, including alternative service patterns, and design development of a central, cross-London, rail link, and a feasibility study of a south-west to north-east London rail link.
	The SRA continues to assess the other potential schemes identified in the London East-West Study.

Mobile Phone Masts

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when guidance will be issued to local planning authorities on new consultations on the siting of mobile phone masts.

Sally Keeble: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Oaten) on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 17W.

Fire Brigade Training

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what methods are used by fire brigades to train those involved in decision making on arrival at an incident.

Alan Whitehead: Training for incident command is undertaken at local, regional and national centres using live situations, simulations and virtual reality systems.
	Guidance has also been issued to the Fire Service on Incident Command. In 1999 Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate produced "The Fire Service Manual on Incident Command" to ensure national consistency in the command systems used by all the UK Fire Brigades.

Fire Brigade Training

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what advice his Department has given to fire brigades about using virtual reality in training.

Alan Whitehead: Although the Home Office did not issue formal guidance to the Fire Service on virtual reality training systems the importance of a national incident command system for the Fire Service is recognised. Fire Brigades were encouraged by the Home Office and will be encouraged by this Department to improve emergency incident management techniques by undertaking virtual reality training.

Concessionary Travel

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what consideration was given to bus and rail travel concessions for the disabled in Scotland and Wales when guidance on this subject was last issued.

Sally Keeble: Under the provisions of the Transport Act 2000, elderly and disabled people in England and Wales are entitled to half fare—or better—on local bus services, and the necessary travel pass must be issued free of charge. Local authorities may offer greater concessions—for example less than half fare, and cheap travel on train or ferry services—if they wish, and many do.
	The Transport Act 2000 also requires the Secretary of State to issue guidance to local authorities advising on how the eligibility criteria for disabled people should be applied when applications for travel passes are considered. My Department issued such guidance to local authority associations, the bus industry and disability interests on 31 May. It is available on my Department's website at www.dtlr.gov.uk/itwp/consult/cf/disabled/index.htm.
	Concessionary travel in Scotland and Wales is a devolved matter.

Housing (Slough)

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many permanent dwellings were completed in Slough by (a) private companies, (b) registered social landlords and (c) the local authority in each of the last five years.

Sally Keeble: Figures for the estimated number of new permanent dwellings completed in Slough, for private enterprise, registered social landlords and local authorities, for the last five financial years, are given in the table.
	
		
			 Year Private enterprise Registered social landlords Local authority All dwellings 
		
		
			 1996–97 287 64 0 351 
			 1997–98 316 33 0 349 
			 1998–99 341 0 0 341 
			 1999–2000 449 0 0 449 
			 2000–01 660 41 0 701

Positive Discrimination

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 22W, on positive discrimination, if he will publish the agenda and minutes of the recent seminar on women's representation in politics, indicating which officials attended the seminar; which other countries were represented; where the seminar was held and on what date; and what the total cost was of UK attendance at the seminar.

Alan Whitehead: The seminar on Women's Representation in politics was organised by the Constitution Unit of University College, London.
	The seminar was held at 7 Millbank, London, on 26 June 2001. A small team of Government Officials from the Women's Unit of the Cabinet Office lead by my noble Friend Baroness Morgan, at no cost, were present at the seminar along with representatives from all sides of the House.
	There were speakers from France, Norway, Sweden and Germany and representatives from England and Scotland.
	The minutes from the seminar have not yet been made available by the University College, London.

A12 Bypass

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much of the A12 bypass from Margaretting to Boreham has a concrete surface; and what plans there are to replace road surfaces on this road with a noise-reducing surface.

David Jamieson: The whole of the A12 bypass from Margaretting to Boreham has a concrete surface, apart from some isolated areas on bridge decks.
	In the Government's "Transport 2010—The Ten Year Plan" published in July 2000, we set a target of installing quieter surfacing on all concrete stretches of motorway and trunk road by 2011.
	The timing of the work will be influenced by criteria which have been the subject of consultation with local authorities. The criteria have yet to be finalised but an announcement is anticipated this summer.

Strategic Rail Authority

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many staff were employed by the Strategic Rail Authority at the latest date for which figures are available.

Stephen Byers: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 13W.

DVLA

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what appeal process is available to those who disagree with decisions by the DVLA to refuse driving licences.

David Jamieson: A statutory right of appeal to a magistrates court in England and Wales and to a sheriff court in Scotland is available to those who disagree with DVLA's decision to revoke, restrict or to refuse to grant a driving licence.

Driving Licences (Drugs)

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on which date it was decided that persistent misuse of drugs was a relevant disability in respect of revocation of driving licences under section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1998.

David Jamieson: Parliament decided that persistent misuse of drugs should be included in section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as a relevant disability when the draft legislation was approved by the House of Lords on 12 July 1996 and the House of Commons on 17 July 1996. The change took effect from 1 January 1997.

Driving Licences (Drugs)

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what research the DVLA based its decision to revoke driving licences on the grounds of persistent drug misuse in respect of (a) alcohol, (b) heroin, (c) medicinal drugs, (d) cannabis and (e) ecstasy.

David Jamieson: In relation to alcohol and drug misuse, the medical standards for fitness to drive are based on the minimum health standards laid down in the Second EC Directive on driving licences and the expert advice of the Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Misuse and Driving. The Panel keeps abreast of medical and pharmacological research at a domestic and international level.

Driving Licences (Drugs)

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many driving licence applications were (a) refused and (b) withdrawn, on the grounds of misuse of drugs in each of the past 10 years broken down by each drug involved.

David Jamieson: Statistics specifically relating to these circumstances are available only for the last three financial years. Separate figures for refusals and revocations are not available, but total figures are as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
		
		
			 1998–99 285 
			 1999–2000 354 
			 2000–01 464 
		
	
	No separate figures for each drug type are available.

Home Zone Challenge Fund

Kevin Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what arrangements have been made for local authorities to apply for funding from the home zone challenge fund.

Sally Keeble: My right hon. Friend has announced details of the arrangements for the Home Zone Challenge fund. All local traffic authorities in England are invited to apply for funding. Bids should be submitted by 3 October 2001. A copy of the guidance for the Home Zone Challenge has been sent to all eligible local authorities. A copy of the guidance has also been placed in the House Library.

Local Authority Spending Formula

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the spending formula for local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: As part of our review of the grant distribution formulae for England, the Department published 'Modernising Local Government Finance: A Green Paper' in September 2000. The Green Paper includes an assessment of the existing formulae against our aims for a good local government finance system. In particular, the Green Paper argues that the formulae:
	Have become increasingly difficult to explain and understand;
	Rely too much on statistical analysis of spending, and do not recognise the extent to which past spending patterns are limited as indicators of patterns of future need;
	Have not always given authorities much certainty from year to year about the level of grant they might expect, hampering forward planning; and
	Do not allow for any fine-tuning to take account of the particular circumstances of individual authorities.
	The Green Paper consulted on a number of options which could address these concerns. We will publish our conclusions on the way forward in a White Paper later this year.
	Local government finance in Scotland and Wales is a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly.

Urban Capacity Studies

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will conduct a review of urban capacity studies completed by local authorities to ensure that they comply with the guidelines set out by his Department; and if he will place a freeze on MDA approvals pending the outcome of this review.

Sally Keeble: Local planning authorities are responsible for undertaking the urban housing capacity studies required by our planning guidance for housing (PPG3). We expect these studies to lead to updated development plans that give priority to reusing brownfields before developing greenfields. All proposals for housing development should be tested against the policies set out in PPG3 and local authorities are directed to consult the Secretary of State before giving planning permission for major housing developments on greenfield land allocated in their plans.

Local Authority Debt

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average level of debt of local authorities in England and Wales is.

Alan Whitehead: The average total debt (long and short term) for English local authorities, at 31 March 2000, was about £94 million. This figure covers London boroughs, Metropolitan districts, Unitary authorities, Shire counties and Shire districts.
	Total debt for each of these authorities, at 31 March 2000, is available at: http://www.local.dtlr.gov.uk/finance/ stats

Local Authority Debt

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if she will list the local authorities in England and Wales which are debt-free.

Alan Whitehead: The 103 English local authorities listed have reported that they had debt-free status as at 1 April 2001.
	Barking and Dagenham
	Basingstoke and Deane
	Bath and North East Somerset
	Bedford
	Bracknell Forest Unitary Authority
	Breckland
	Broadland
	Bromley
	Bromsgrove
	Broxbourne
	Chichester
	Chiltern
	Christchurch
	City of London
	Congleton
	Corby
	Cotswold
	Crawley
	Dacorum
	Dartford
	Daventry
	Dorset
	East Cambridgeshire
	East Devon
	East Dorset
	East Hampshire
	Eden
	Elmbridge
	Epsom and Ewell
	Forest Heath
	Fylde
	Hambleton
	Harlow
	Hart
	Havant
	Hertsmere
	Horsham
	Huntingdonshire
	Kennet
	Lichfield
	Malvern Hills
	Mid Bedfordshire
	Mid Sussex
	Mole Valley
	North Devon
	North Dorset
	North Wiltshire
	Penwith
	Reigate and Banstead
	Runnymede
	Rushmoor
	Ryedale
	Salisbury
	Sevenoaks
	South Bucks
	South Cambridgeshire
	South Hams
	South Northamptonshire
	South Oxfordshire
	South Ribble
	South Shropshire
	South Somerset
	South Staffordshire
	Spelthorne
	St. Edmundsbury
	Staffordshire Moorlands
	Stevenage
	Stratford-on-Avon
	Suffolk Coastal
	Surrey Heath
	Swale
	Tandridge
	Tewkesbury
	Three Rivers
	Tonbridge and Malling
	Tunbridge Wells
	Tynedale
	Uttlesford
	Vale of White Horse
	Watford
	Waverley
	Welwyn Hatfield
	West Berkshire UA
	Windsor and Maidenhead Unitary Authority Worthing
	Wychavon
	Wyre
	Wyre Forest
	Cambridgeshire Police Authority
	Dorset Police Authority
	Kent Police Authority
	Suffolk Police Authority
	Sussex Police Authority
	Wiltshire Police Authority
	Dartmoor National Park Authority
	Exmoor National Park Authority
	Lake District National Park
	North York Moors National Park Authority
	Northumberland National Park Authority
	Peak National Park
	The Broads Authority
	Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
	North London Waste Authority
	Note:
	Definition: An authority is 'debt-free' if:
	(a) at 31 March 2001, the authority's credit ceiling was nil or a negative amount; and
	(b) at 1 April 2001, the authority had no money outstanding by way of external borrowing other than short-term borrowing or hard to redeem debt, as defined in Regulation 154 of the Local Authorities (Capital Finance) Regulations 1997.
	Source:
	Capital Estimates Return

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Animal Conservation Schemes

Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the support given by her Department to animal conservation schemes in each of the past four years.

Clare Short: DFID's purpose is poverty eradication, not conservation. DFID supports the sustainable management of wild animal populations where it is key to improving poor peoples' livelihood opportunities, for example through improved forest management and community wildlife initiatives.
	The principal bilateral projects that DFID has supported over the past four years that contribute in this way to animal conservation are listed in Annexe 1.
	
		Annexe 1: List of the principal DFID supported bilateral projects(1) over the past four years that contribute to animal conservation.
		
			 Name of Project Country Period of support Amount (£) 
		
		
			 Mbomipa Community Wildlife Tanzania 1997–2001 1,973,000 
			 Wildlife Intensification for Livelihood Development (WILD) Namibia 1999–2002 1,040,000 
			 Madikwe Community Wildlife Management South Africa 1997–99 621,795 
			 Amboro Rural Development Bolivia 1996–2000 3,200,000 
			 Mount Cameroon Project Cameroon 1995–2002 10,602,000 
			 Indonesian Multi-Stakeholder Forestry Programme Indonesia 1998–2005 25,150,000 
			 Cross River State Community Forestry Project Nigeria 1996–2001 2,000,000 
			 Forest Sector Development Project Phase II Ghana 2000–04 11,963,000 
		
	
	(1) Includes projects of value £0.5 million or more. Excludes support through the Joint Funding Scheme (which are mostly under £0.5 million) and excludes DFID-funded research projects. Projects primarily concerned with freshwater and marine resources have also been excluded.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Recycling

John Austin: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what arrangements exist for (a) recycling and (b) re-using waste generated within the parliamentary estate; what facilities exist for the separation of waste generated within the parliamentary estate; and what proportion of such waste is recycled.

Archy Kirkwood: This is a matter for the Serjeant at Arms; I have asked him to write to the hon. Gentleman.

HEALTH

Health Authority Borders (West Midlands)

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria he will use when deciding the borders of new health authorities in the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Final decisions on the boundaries for the new strategic health authorities will be taken following a full public consultation exercise. Proposals for consultation are being drawn up based on two criteria:
	i. The new strategic health authorities should be coterminous with an aggregate of local authority boundaries.
	ii. The new strategic health authorities should be aligned with the local clinical networks.

Mental Health Services (London)

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the level of occupancy of all acute mental health units in London (a) in the last month for which figures are available and (b) in the same month in each of the previous five years.

Jacqui Smith: The information available is not collected in the format requested. Figures for London can be identified for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 when the National Health Service Executive, London regional office was in existence. Prior to this 'London' cannot be identified. The table shows bed occupancy for wards classified as mental illness in London NHS Trusts for 1998–99 and 1999–2000.
	
		Average daily bed occupancy rate, wards open overnight, mental illness sector, NHS Trusts in London, 1998–99 and 1999–2001
		
			   Occupancy rate percentage (at midnight) 
			 Trust name  1999–2000 1998–99 
		
		
			 London 93.7 92.2 
			 Barnet Community Healthcare NHS Trust 91.9 80.5 
			 Bethlem and Maudsley — 82.3 
			 BHB Community Health NHS Trust 89.8 93.5 
			 Brent, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Mental Health NHS Trust 94.6 — 
			 Camden and Islington Community Health Service NHS Trust 99.1 96.5 
			 City and Hackney Community Services NHS Trust 94.0 94.9 
			 Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health NHS Trust 97.3 — 
			 Enfield Community Care NHS Trust 97.9 91.3 
			 Forest Healthcare NHS Trust 93.1 95.0 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital For Sick Children NHS Trust 74.8 77.9 
			 Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 94.2 100.0 
			 Haringey Health Care NHS Trust 97.3 98.9 
			 Harrow and Hillingdon Healthcare NHS Trust 97.2 98.5 
			 Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 95.6 96.8 
			 Hounslow and Spelthorne Community and Mental Health NHS Trust 97.2 94.5 
			 Kingston and District Community NHS Trust 98.6 94.0 
			 Lewisham and Guys Mental Health — 98.2 
			 Newham Community Health Services NHS Trust 82.8 79.8 
			 North West London Mental Health — 98.0 
			 Oxleas NHS Trust 94.5 91.8 
			 Parkside Health — 82.6 
			 Redbridge Health Care NHS Trust 77.6 84.0 
			 Riverside Mental Health — 91.3 
			 Royal Free NHS Trust 94.7 91.5 
			 South London and Maudsley NHS Trust 96.2 — 
			 South West London and St. Georges MH NHS Trust 88.5 96.0 
			 St. Helier — 95.0 
			 Tower Hamlets Healthcare NHS Trust 87.1 93.2 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Trust 70.5 83.1 
			 West Lambeth Community Care — 97.1 
			 West London Healthcare — 98.3 
		
	
	Source:
	DH form KH03

Care Home Standards

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what representations he has received in connection with the implementation of standards 21.3 and 22.2 of the "National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People"; and if he will place them in the Library;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the impact of standards 21.3 and 22.2 of the "National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People" on the availability of beds in residential care and nursing homes; and if he will place it in the Library;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the impact on the number of care homes of the requirement of complying with the "National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People";
	(4)  what estimate he has made of the average amount that each care home will have to spend in order to comply with the "National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People".

Jacqui Smith: National minimum standards will ensure that care provision is fit for the purpose and meets the assessed needs of residents.
	The need for provision of particular facilities such as passenger lifts and the costs associated with their installation will vary from home to home.
	In setting these standards we listened to the concerns of providers and produced a sensible set of standards which give providers a reasonable time to adapt, and achieved the support of national organisations representing consumers and providers. We made a number of specific changes to the proposed standards in response to the concerns raised in the comments we received. I am confident that these decisions will ensure that any improvements in the quality of care homes necessary will be achieved smoothly, and that stability in the care homes sector and sufficient capacity is maintained while changes are made.

Leigh NHS Walk-in Centre

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have presented to the NHS walk-in Centre at Leigh Infirmary since it opened; and of these how many had to be referred on to a local casualty department for treatment.

John Hutton: The Leigh National Health Service Walk-In Centre opened on 1 June 2000 and in its first year 32,365 patients attended. 1,225 patients were referred to the local accident and emergency department from the centre.

Foot and Mouth (Milk Products)

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the safety of milk and milk products, with particular regard to the foot and mouth outbreak.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 28 June 2001
	The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advise that the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the United Kingdom does not pose a threat to the safety of milk and milk products from animals infected with the disease. In addition, the FSA advise that the current evidence indicates no increased public health risk from dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls released from foot and mouth pyres for the vast majority of people who consume milk or dairy products produced on land within two kilometres of the pyres. Farmers and their customers who consume milk exclusively from such a source have been advised that there may be a slightly higher, although still very small, additional risk. This advice is precautionary until the results of the FSA's testing programme are available.

Mental Health Care

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the proportion of total NHS spend used to provide mental health services in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02.

Jacqui Smith: Information comes from health authorities and trusts and their accounts for 1999–2000, 2000–01, and 2001–02 have not yet been collated.

Heart Disease

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to enable it to develop a clinical guideline on the investigation and management of heart failure.

John Hutton: The development of a guideline for heart failure was referred to National Institute for Clinical Excellence in September 2000 with the following remit:
	Appropriate means of diagnosis (including consideration of possible role of new developments in diagnosis e.g. brain naturetic peptide).
	Optimum symptom control using established treatments but also including relatively new evidence around drugs such as spironolactone, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (e.g. losartan), beta blockers (and if appropriate how and where to manage treatment with beta blockers).
	Appropriate make-up of medical team treating (evidence for multi-disciplinary approach).
	Evidence on exercise tolerance and the possible beneficial effects of exercise on quality of life (limited evidence available but traditional advice to rest may not be appropriate in all cases).
	Role of supportive care—the potential of the 'palliative care approach', when to consider supportive care (not just an end of life/terminal phase issue) and when the use of specialist palliative care services may be appropriate.
	The role of primary care and community services—may these have an effect on frequent acute re-admissions?
	Role of lifestyle advice.
	Role of surgical interventions to treat or relieve symptoms.

Complementary Medicine

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to extend the provision of complementary and alternative medicine, with particular reference to acupuncture, chiropractice, homeopathy, herbal medicine, osteopathy and therapeutic touch, in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: We have produced an information pack for primary care trusts and primary care groups on commissioning alternative medicine, which is available in the Library and at www.doh.gov.uk/cam/index.htm.
	The pack makes it clear that the provision of complementary medicine must be decided at a local level taking account of evidence of its suitability and efficacy and its effective regulation.

National Cancer Plan

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to monitor the delivery of the national cancer plan.

Yvette Cooper: Cancer services have received an additional £280 million in 2001–02 towards implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan.
	Monitoring will be undertaken to ensure that investment and reform is seen across all cancer networks. This will include the high level review of spending undertaken through the services and financial framework process; the development by cancer networks of service delivery plans which will set out implementation plans for cancer services locally; and the continued central monitoring of the two week waiting time target. In addition the peer review process of cancer services will help trusts assess their progress in implementing evidence-based guidance for individual tumour groups.

NHS Consultants

Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to (a) compile and (b) publish performance statistics for each consultant employed in NHS hospitals.

John Hutton: We have no plans at the present time to compile and publish performance statistics on individual consultants.

Health Services (Dudley)

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of acute beds in the Dudley group of hospitals which are unavailable to incoming patients as a result of being occupied by patients needing accommodation in a nursing home.

Yvette Cooper: At 3 July 2001, the number of acute beds being occupied by patients awaiting nursing home accommodation is 33 1 .
	Dudley health authority have recently identified £100,000 of non recurrent funds to alleviate immediate pressures in the short term. The local health and social services agencies are involved in discussions to seek solutions for medium to long-term.
	Source: 1 Dudley Group Hospitals National Health Service Trust

Health Services (Dudley)

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the care of medical patients on surgical wards in the Dudley group of hospitals.

Yvette Cooper: At 3 July 2001, the Dudley Group Hospitals National Health Service Trust has 31 medical patients on surgical wards, as a result of difficulties in discharging them to long-term care. The trust has confirmed that the patients selected to be cared for on surgical wards are those whose acute problems have been addressed. These patients require basic nursing care in terms of attention, medication, etc., which the trust's nurses are well equipped to provide.

MMR Inoculations

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide assistance to the recent study by the World Health Organisation into the effects of vaccines containing mercury used for MMR inoculations.

Yvette Cooper: There is no, and never has been, thiomersal in any measles, mumps and rubella vaccine used in the United Kingdom.
	The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) has been asked by the World Health Organisation to set up a study to look into the relationship between thiomersal and possible neurological outcomes using UK data.

Herbal Products

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in defining conditions for the safe use of traditional herbal products; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: We understand that the European Commission is actively continuing development work on the draft directive to regulate those traditional herbal products which are classified as medicines. In particular, we are aware that the EC has recently been considering written comments made by European Union member states following a meeting of the European Pharmaceutical Committee in April 2001. The detailed terms of various possible provisions to safeguard public health are likely to feature prominently in the ongoing discussions on the draft directive. The Medicines Control Agency will continue to consult the United Kingdom natural health sector as work on this initiative progresses.

PFI Schemes

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy that all NHS private finance initiative schemes should include transferring responsibility for the management of NHS ancillary staff to the private sector.

John Hutton: holding answer 3 July 2001
	Pilot schemes, whereby ancillary services staff could retain their National Health Service employment terms but be managed by the private sector, are being conducted at three private finance initiative (PFI) projects currently in procurement.
	The pilots will be evaluated with reference to their ability to deliver workable, value for money arrangements and will be used to inform policy on NHS ancillary staff in future PFI schemes.

Health Authority Restructuring (Essex)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of the proposed health authority restructuring for Essex.

John Hutton: holding answer 3 July 2001
	The introduction of strategic health authorities is an important element in our proposals to decentralise power in the National Health Services. We will shift the balance of power in the NHS so that primary care trusts take the responsibility and resources for developing health services and improving health. Front-line staff are best placed to understand patients' needs and have the skills and experience to improve services. Empowering front-line staff and organisations to use these skills will help deliver faster and more responsive services and improve the patient experience.
	The proposals for restructuring in Essex, as elsewhere, will be subject to formal consultation.

Hospices

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further staffing support he plans to provide to hospices.

Yvette Cooper: The NHS Cancer Plan set out our commitment to increase National Health Service investment in specialist palliative care by £50 million by 2004 to ensure that the inequalities in access to specialist palliative care ends. Health authority allocations in 2001–02 included a total of £255 million to support the first year of local implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan. Priorities for this year include the development of costed strategic plans for palliative care. Cancer networks are expected to demonstrate how the additional funding will be invested over the next three years.
	Cancer networks are currently developing detailed service delivery plans, which will identify the current position, future demands and gaps in services and set out action plans for further development across all areas, including staffing of teams, whether in the voluntary sector or in the NHS. We are funding the National Council for Hospices and specialist palliative care services to support cancer networks to ensure an inclusive approach to develop the palliative care element in the service delivery plans.

Christie Hospital NHS Trust

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the (a) total level of investment and (b) source of funding for the recent expansion of the Christie Hospital NHS Trust.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 4 July 2001
	The revenue income for the Christie Hospital National Health Service Trust is provided in the table.
	
		£ million 
		
			  Actual Actual Forecast 
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Total income from activities (health authorities) 39.0 43.4 49.1 
			 Other operating income 30.2 24.9 24.1 
			  
			 Total overall income 69.2 68.4 73.2 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Information extracted from Final Accounts for 1999–2000, pre-audit draft accounts for 2000–01 and the trust's plans for 2001–02.
	2. The high level of other operating income in 1999–2000 relates to technical accounting adjustments.
	3. The trust has received a significant recent growth in revenue funds from NHS sources. Specific areas include: funding for the implications of National Institute for Clinical Excellence drugs; revenue consequences of capital investments in capital equipment and four new consultant posts.
	4. The trust's other operating income includes a substantial proportion of income from charitable sources.
	The facilities at the trust will continue to be redeveloped and these will be provided from a variety of sources which will include exchequer funding, private finance initiative funding and charitable donations.

Christie Hospital NHS Trust

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to visit the Christie Hospital NHS Trust in Manchester; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 4 July 2001
	Either I or one of my ministerial colleagues will visit the Christie Hospital later in the year.

Mobile Phones

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department's research programme into the effects on health of mobile phone technology has been established.

Yvette Cooper: The Stewart report on mobile phones and health made a recommendation that a substantial research programme should be set up under the aegis of a demonstrably independent panel and financed by the mobile phone companies and the public sector. This programme, jointly funded by Government and industry, has now been set up under the direction of an independent programme management committee. The first call for proposals was issued at a scientific workshop held in February. The committee is currently assessing a range of research proposals, the first group of which is expected to start in October this year. Details can be found on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/mobilephones.

Disabled People (Essex)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are registered as disabled in the (a) Colchester, (b) North Essex, (c) Harwich and (d) Braintree constituencies.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the number of people registered with Essex council as deaf or hard of hearing and blind or partially sighted are shown in the tables. Separate information is not available by constituency. Information is not available centrally on the number of people with other forms of disability.
	
		Table 1: Number of people registered as deaf or hard of hearing at 31 March 1998, within the former county of Essex
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Deaf 1,553 
			 Hard of hearing 1,697 
			  
			 Total 3,250 
		
	
	Source:
	SSDA 910 return
	
		Table 2: Number of people registered as blind or partially sighted at 31 March 2000 within the former county of Essex
		
			 Area Blind Partially sighted Total 
		
		
			 Essex(2) 5,018 5,018 10,036 
			 Southend 880 1,262 2,142 
			 Thurrock 224 319 543 
			 Former county of Essex 6,122 6,599 12,721 
		
	
	(2) On 1 April 1998, local government re-organisation took place and the former county of Essex was split into the unitary authorities of Southend and Thurrock and the reduced area of Essex.
	Source:
	SSDA 902 return

Student Nurses

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the amount of money available to student nurses in receipt of a full bursary.

John Hutton: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 13 March that there would be a substantial increase in bursary support for all national health service-funded students, including nurses.
	With effect from 1 September this year the basic rate of bursary will be increased by 10.4 per cent. This is the biggest increase in bursaries since their introduction in the late 1980s and provides diploma level students (who make up the majority of the student nurse population) with an extra £500 per year.
	Further bursary changes will come into effect in September providing extra help with accommodation and travel expenses for students attending practice placements.

Student Nurses

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the bursary system on the recruitment and retention of student nurses.

John Hutton: National health service bursaries provide a level of support which compares favourably with that available to other students in higher education. They will increase by 10.4 per cent. from September 2001. However the level of bursary support is only one factor influencing the recruitment and retention of student nurses.
	Applicants to pre-registration nursing and midwifery training course increased by 87 per cent. over the last three years, to 34,953 in 1999–2000, the latest year for which complete data are available.
	The National Audit Office earlier this year reported that attrition form training was currently 17 per cent., lower than in previous years and in line with attrition from higher education generally. 'Academic failure' was the most common reason for nurses dropping out. The Department has commissioned further research on factors influencing drop out. This will report later in the summer.

Student Nurses

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received to extend the availability of loans to student nurses in receipt of a full bursary.

John Hutton: The current national health service support package available to degree level students comprises 50 per cent. means-tested grant and 50 per cent. student loan. In addition the student's tuition fee contribution is paid in full. This support is more favourable than that available to other United Kingdom students studying at degree level.
	Students studying at diploma level receive a non- means-tested bursary and have their contribution to tuition fees paid in full. However, because diploma students receive a higher level of non-repayable, non-means-tested support for maintenance than degree students, they are not eligible for assistance through student loans.
	Student loans are a matter for the Department for Education and Skills and the Student Loans Company. The overall level of support provided to national health service-funded students is kept under review by my Department, taking into account the views of, among others, students themselves, for instance through the NHS Student Forum.

Student Nurses

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many student nurses were in receipt of a bursary in the (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2000–01 academic years; and how many of those have dropped out of training in each year.

John Hutton: The bursary figures for the full academic year 2000–01 will not be known until 31 August 2001, the end of the academic year. As at 6 July 2001, the National Health Service Student Grants Unit (SGU) had authorised 4,117 NHS Bursary awards for degree level nursing students and 29,067 for those studying at diploma level.
	Diploma students who started their training prior to September 1999 are paid a bursary by their university rather than the SGU.
	The number of student nurses in receipt of a bursary for the full academic year 2001–02 will not be available until 31 August 2002, the end of that academic year.
	Data on the number of student nurses who discontinued their training during 2000–01 will be published by the English National Board for Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting later in the summer. Data for 2001–02 will not be available until next year.

Student Nurses

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on increasing the value of bursaries for student nurses.

John Hutton: Departmental officials undertook a review of support arrangements for National Health Service funded students last year. Representations were received from students and student bodies, professional bodies and others.
	As a result Ministers considered a range of options for changes to bursaries. The 10.4 per cent. across-the-board increase in the basic rate of bursary, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced shortly after the 2001 Budget, was in response to the representations made.

Nursing Vacancies

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each NHS region and trust the number of three month vacancy rates for nurses and expenditure on agency nurses, indicating both the original estimate of costs and the outturn figures.

John Hutton: Figures from the Department of Health Vacancies Survey March 2000 on the number of three month vacancy rates for nurses per region and trust, and the expenditure on agency nurses in 1999–2000 are available in the Library. Information on the original estimate of costs and the outturn figures are not available centrally but may be available from individual National Health Service employers.

Carers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will set out the timetable for considering the establishment of a fund to support the development of carers services under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000;
	(2)  if he will set out the criteria against which progress in implementing the National Carers Strategy is monitored; by what means progress is reported to the House; and when progress was last reported;
	(3)  when he plans to publish the performance framework indicator for the number of carer assessments; if he will ensure that the assessments evaluate the proportion of carers assessed at the point of hospital discharge; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  if he will undertake an evaluation of the appropriateness of support offered to carers as part of strategies to reduce the number of delayed discharges from hospital;
	(5)  when his Department last reviewed guidance on hospital discharge with respect to carers' needs; and what arrangements are in place to monitor compliance with the guidance;
	(6)  if he will make a statement on progress towards implementing the National Carers Strategy requirement that general practitioners should have procedures in place to identify carers by April 2002.

Jacqui Smith: The Hospital Discharge Workbook, issued in 1994, gives guidance to the national health service, social services and other agencies on hospital discharge procedures. The workbook emphasises that the patient and carer should be made fully aware of arrangements for discharge and understand fully what is going to happen. Before an individual is discharged, checks should be made by the discharge nurse to ensure that discharge arrangements take place as planned. The chief executive of the hospital trust is responsible for ensuring that discharges take place appropriately. Work will begin soon on revising the hospital discharge workbook.
	The NHS Plan acknowledged that health and social services need to do more to shape services around the needs and preferences of individual patients, their families and their carers. During 2002, older people, and where appropriate their carers, will be involved in agreeing a personal care plan, which they will hold. The personal care plan will document their current package of health and social care, their care co-ordinator, monitoring arrangements, and a list of key contacts for rapid response at home and in emergencies.
	We are continuing to provide additional resources to local authorities specifically to improve the working arrangements between local authorities and the NHS. The new Promoting Independence Grant is specifically aimed at fostering partnership between health and social services in promoting the independence of adults needing community care services. The grant will encourage these partnerships to improve their arrangements for multi- disciplinary assessment and hospital discharge (including rehabilitation and recuperation services).
	In addition, we have pledged to consider the establishment of a fund to support the development of carers services under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000. We have already begun preliminary discussions with key stakeholders.
	The performance indicator for the number of informal carers receiving an assessment as a proportion of the total number of clients and carers receiving assessments will be published for the first time in autumn 2001. The indicator is based on information provided by local councils with social services responsibilities. Details of where the assessment took place are not available; therefore, the proportion of carers assessed at the point of hospital discharge can not be separately calculated.
	Requirements for Accreditation (RFA99) issued in October 1999 included the requirements for general practitioner computer systems to include a field where the details of carers could be entered. This, aligned with all GPs having access to a desktop computer as part of project connect programme by the end of March 2002, will mean that GPs will be prompted to ask for carer details as part of the registration details of patients. When entered this information will form part of the patient record.
	Progress in implementing the national carers strategy is measured against the criteria set out in the National Carers Strategy and summarised on pages 5–7 of the Strategy. Specific initiatives which take forward the strategy, such as the increases to the Carers Grant, are announced to the House at the appropriate time, and information about the implementation of the measures published as appropriate. For example the analysis which we commissioned from the Kings Fund of local authorities' carers plans for 1999–2000 was published in February 2001. The social services inspectorate's monitoring of local authorities includes questions regarding the implementation of the national carers strategy. The results will be published in the autumn.

HSC 2000/28

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to assess the level of compliance with his guidance HSC 2000/28.

John Hutton: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) to pay particular attention to resuscitation decision- making processes as part of its rolling programme of reviews of the clinical governance arrangements put in place by national health service organisations. CHI's programme of reviews is being conducted over a four-year cycle. All trusts will have been reviewed by October 2004. CHI will work with the organisation to produce an action plan to address identified deficiencies, the implementation of which will be monitored by the NHS regional office who will ensure that any necessary action is taken to ensure compliance.

Care Services (Older People)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the work programme of the National Workforce Development Board and its associated care group workforce teams; and if he will make a statement on the establishment of the care group workforce team dealing with services for older people.

Jacqui Smith: The broad terms of reference for the National Workforce Development Board and the care group workforce teams are set out in "Investment and Reform for National Health Service Staff—Taking Forward the NHS Plan", copies of which are available in the Library. We are currently considering in more detail how these bodies, including the care group workforce team for services for older people, will take forward their role, and will make an announcement shortly.

Intensive Care

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many intensive care beds there are in England in (a) the NHS and (b) the private sector.

John Hutton: The latest figures for 15 January 2001 are given in the table. The number of available adult intensive care and high dependency beds in England are published in the bi-annual publication "Available adult intensive care and high dependency provision, England", copies of which are available in the Library.
	
		Available adult intensive care and high dependency provision at 15 January 2001—England
		
			 Intensive care beds Number 
		
		
			 Total 1,677 
			 General 1,333 
			 Specialist 344 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual census of "Available adult intensive care and high dependency provision, England". Data for 15 January 2001.
	Information about the private sector is not collected centrally.

Intensive Care

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients from private hospitals transferred to NHS intensive care beds in the last year for which figures are available.

John Hutton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he plans to introduce to reduce deaths caused by the mis-use of (a) painkillers and (b) anti- depressants.

Yvette Cooper: The Department introduced specific measures in September 1998 reducing pack sizes of paracetamol and aspirin aimed at reducing the toxicity from impulsive overdose. New warnings on the packaging emphasised the risks and action to take in the event of overdose. Recent published studies on the impact of these measures have provided evidence that they are having a significant beneficial effect.
	The majority of deaths in association with antidepressants are as a result of suicide. We take the issue of suicide very seriously. We are currently developing, under the direction of the National Director for Mental Health, Professor Louis Appleby, a coherent, national suicide prevention strategy to ensure that we are doing all we can to prevent suicide.
	Advice is given to health professionals in British National Formulary, which advises that patients treated for depression should be assessed frequently for suicidal tendencies and that limited quantities of antidepressant drugs should be prescribed at any one time to reduce the risk of overdose. The summaries of product characteristics for antidepressants warn that patients at risk of suicide should be monitored closely.

Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in (a) identifying and (b) reducing the levels of (i) mis-use and (ii) over-use of neuroleptic drugs in residential homes for the elderly.

Jacqui Smith: Data on the misuse or overuse of neuroleptic drugs are not available centrally. However, we are well aware of concerns about the use of these drugs in older people. Several current initiatives will help to address this issue.
	The National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People, published in March 2001 under section 23(1) of the Care Standards Act 2000, contains a standard for the administration of medicines. This includes requirements to take advice from pharmacists, consult general practitioners and regularly review medication. These standards come into force in April 2002.
	The National Service Framework for Older People was also published in March, together with 'Medicines and Older People', covering the implementation of medicines related aspects of the NSF. One of its aims is to ensure that older people gain maximum benefit from their medication and do not suffer unnecessarily from illness caused by excessive or inappropriate consumption of medicines. One of the milestones set in the NSF is that, by April 2002, people over 75 will have their medicines reviewed at least annually, and those taking four or more medicines will have a review six-monthly. And, by 2004, every primary care trust (PCT) will have schemes in place so that older people get more help from pharmacists in using their medicines.
	Finally, the NHS Plan contains a target that repeat dispensing schemes will be in place nationally by 2004. Together with management of repeat prescribing commissioned locally by PCTs, these schemes will provide further help in avoiding medication problems in older people.

Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of those who use (a) heroin and (b) methadone under medical prescription who have died in each of the past five years.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not available centrally in the form requested.
	The Department collects information relating to the number of prescriptions dispensed in the community in England (which includes prescriptions for diamorphine and methadone) but there is no means of identifying whether the recipient of the prescription subsequently dies.
	Information about all deaths in England and Wales in 1995 to 1999 where the underlying cause of death is regarded as resulting from drug-related poisoning is included in the Health Statistics Quarterly report, published by the Office for National Statistics in spring 2001. The report also contains information about the number of deaths where selected substances, including heroin and/or morphine and methadone, were mentioned on the death certificate.
	The table shows the numbers of deaths where heroin and/or morphine and methadone were mentioned on any death certificate and are regarded as resulting from drug- related poisoning from 1995 to 1999. The figure is given for heroin and morphine combined because heroin breaks down in the body into morphine, and the latter may be detected at post mortem and recorded on the death certificate.
	
		Number of deaths where heroin and/or morphine and methadone were mentioned on the death certificate for England and Wales
		
			   Drug mentioned  
			 Year All mention of heroin and morphine Methadone 
		
		
			 1995 357 310 
			 1996 466 368 
			 1997 445 421 
			 1998 645 363 
			 1999 754 298 
		
	
	Note:
	These figures do not include deaths where heroin, morphine and methadone were not mentioned on the death certificate, but were a causal factor; or where these substances were prescribed, but were not a causal factor in the death and so are not mentioned in the death certificate.

Allocation of Resources

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what mechanism the formula for the allocation of resources between health authorities takes account of (a) transient populations and (b) numbers of tourists.

John Hutton: The formula for setting health authority resource allocation targets is based primarily on resident population. The resident populations are then adjusted to take account of patients registered with general practitioners outside their health authority of residence. These adjusted resident populations are referred to as health authority relevant populations. These exclude transient populations and tourists.
	The prescribing component of the formula takes account of temporary residents who register with GPs in addition to relevant populations.
	Funding for secondary healthcare for tourists and transient populations that falls outside service agreements is transferred between health authorities through the out-of-area treatment arrangements.

Parking Charges

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much revenue was raised by NHS trusts for car parking charges in financial years (a) 1999 and (b) 2000.

John Hutton: There is no prescriptive model for the provision and financing of car parking facilities at national health service trusts and not all trusts will raise revenue from car parking charges. Where trusts do raise income from car park charges there is no requirement for it to be separately identified in their annual accounts.

Bed Blocking

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds were blocked in each NHS trust, in each of the last three years, by elderly patients waiting to be transferred to residential care; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the delayed discharges of patients aged over 75 years is collected from each health authority on a quarterly basis. That information has been collected on a consistent basis for the last two years and has been placed in the Library. The information collected includes the number of patients delayed due to awaiting nursing or residential home placement. In some cases patients will be exercising their right to await a place in a home of their choice.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Human Rights

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he proposes to extend observance of human rights in (a) the Commonwealth and (b) elsewhere.

Peter Hain: The Government will continue to promote human rights in bilateral and multilateral forums. Among other things, this will include continuing to campaign worldwide for the elimination of torture and the abolition of the death penalty and taking an active part in the forthcoming World Conference Against Racism. At the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Brisbane in October, the Government will try to ensure that the Commonwealth takes an even more active role in promoting human rights. A key element will be trying to expand the remit of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) so that it can recommend action where a Commonwealth member seriously or persistently violates human rights. Currently, CMAG comes into play only when an elected Commonwealth Government have been overthrown.

The hon. Member for Neath

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department received from the South African Government about the hon. Member for Neath (Peter Hain), during his period as a Minister with responsibility for Africa.

Ben Bradshaw: The South African Government welcomed my hon. Friend as Minister with responsibility for Africa and granted him access at the highest level. In an exchange of messages with the South Africans earlier this year, the then Foreign Secretary confirmed our appreciation of the candid and collaborative approach between the UK and South Africa, with which my hon. Friend was closely associated, and looked forward to it continuing.

UK Tourists (Assistance)

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the average number of requests for assistance per year from UK tourists to local consular offices and their equivalents was in (a) Florida, (b) Ibiza, (c) Corfu, (d) Barcelona, (e) Benidorm, (f) Majorca, (g) Rhodes, (h) Rome, (i) Paris, (j) Venice, (k) Milan, (l) Dublin, (m) Capri, (n) Tenerife, (o) Cyprus, (p) Nice, (q) Cannes, (r) Boston, (s) Las Vegas, (t) New York, (u) Jerusalem, (v) Los Angeles, (w) Moscow, (x) St. Petersburg, (y) Berlin, (z) Dubai and (aa) Sri Lanka; and what category of assistance was requested in each case.

Ben Bradshaw: Our records do not currently allow tourists to be isolated from the total numbers of British citizens seeking assistance at UK missions overseas. However, in the period 1998–2000, the average annual number of requests for assistance (not including simple requests for information) from British citizens to local consular offices and their equivalents was as follows:
	(a) Florida: 570 cases per year (cases are referred to Orlando)
	(b) Ibiza: 2,000 cases per year
	(c) Corfu: 450 cases per year
	(d) Barcelona: 300 cases per year
	(e) Benidorm: 550 cases per year (cases are referred to Malaga)
	(f) Majorca: Total included in (e) above (cases are referred to Malaga)
	(g) Rhodes: 250 cases per year
	(h) Rome: 900 cases per year
	(i) Paris: 300 cases per year
	(j) Venice: 50 cases per year
	(k) Milan: 70 cases
	(l) Dublin: 250 cases per year
	(m) Capri: 100 cases per year (cases are referred to Naples)
	(n) Tenerife: 4,000 cases per year
	(o) Cyprus: 300 cases per year (Nicosia)
	(p) Nice: 70 cases per year (cases are referred to Marseille)
	(q) Cannes: Total included in (p) above (cases are referred to Marseille)
	(r) Boston: 30 cases per year
	(s) Las Vegas: 90 cases per year
	(t) New York: 150 cases per year
	(u) Jerusalem: 30 cases per year
	(v) Los Angeles: 70 cases per year (cases are referred to San Francisco)
	(w) Moscow: 45 cases per year
	(x) St. Petersburg: 15 cases per year
	(y) Berlin: 120 cases per year
	(z) Dubai: 500 cases per year
	(aa) Sri Lanka: 30 cases per year (Colombo).
	Similarly, our records do not currently allow us accurately to break down these numbers into all types of assistance sought. But the types of request we receive can range from assistance with major disasters involving ferries, aircraft, trains, buses and cars; assistance with hospitalisations, deaths, skiing accidents and welfare cases in general; helping the victims of crime including rape, child custody and abduction disputes and kidnapping incidents. We are also asked to help with repatriations and deportations, to help with searches for missing persons, to visit people detained by local authorities, to visit long-term prisoners and to arrange the deposit of funds (e.g. for prison comforts). These cases are the ones which get recorded. However, much of our work involves providing all kinds of information to help British nationals, and this is not recorded. In addition we provide notarial services where required; register marriages, births and deaths; and provide passport issuing facilities.
	We are currently developing a new centralised consular database, based on one that already has a well-established track record. We hope that, in the future, this will provide a more accurate picture of the full range of tasks we undertake to assist British nationals overseas.

Embassies (Costs)

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost of running each of Her Majesty's embassies, broken down by (a) staff cost, (b) transport costs, (c) premises costs, (d) equipment costs and (e) entertainment and other costs in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: Estimates are made at FCO level and the ensuing budgets are as yet only partly devolved to embassies and other missions. However, the FCO carries out an annual accounting exercise which provides detailed information on the costs of individual embassies. This forms part of the resource accounts preparation, and for the year 2000–01 will be available this autumn.

"Rogue States"

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of (a) the definition of "rogue state", (b) the states that can be so defined and (c) the threat they present to the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: "Rogue state" is generally not a term we would choose to use.
	We are concerned by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery in several regions including the middle east, South Asia and the Korean Peninsula.
	We judge that there is currently no significant threat to the UK from weapons of mass destruction. We continue to monitor developments closely.

Lord Levy

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of Lord Levy on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, including to whom he is accountable, and on the facilities, expenses and remuneration he receives at public expense.

Jack Straw: From time to time, Lord Levy will travel as the Prime Minister's envoy. He will report to the Prime Minister and to me.
	Lord Levy receives no remuneration and travels at his own expense. The FCO provides him with logistics and administrative support, including use of an office in London and official accommodation overseas, and briefing as necessary.

United Nations Reform

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the Government have for reforming the structure of the UN.

Peter Hain: We would like to see the United Nations Security Council reformed to make it more representative of the world today. We are one of a number of countries which support enlarging Council membership from 15 to 24, including expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent membership.
	We are also working closely with EU and UN partners to follow up implementation of the report on UN Peace Operations drawn up by the Panel chaired by Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi in 2000. In particular, we are pressing for improved early warning and analysis and for more effective rapid deployment mechanisms.
	We have strongly supported the UN Secretary- General's wider efforts to streamline UN activities through a results-based approach to programme, financial and human resource management.

Plan Colombia

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress of Plan Colombia and of the United Kingdom's involvement.

Denis MacShane: It is too early to assess the impact of Plan Colombia as it is designed to produce results over a number of years. One specific goal, for example, is to reduce the cultivation, processing and distribution of illegal drugs by 50 per cent. over a six-year period (2000–06).
	There is no UK Government financial involvement in Plan Colombia, either bilaterally or through the EU. No expenditure is planned by the UK Government to support the Plan. Instead, the UK is contributing to and fully supports assistance to Colombia through the European Union of 105 million euro over the next five years. The EU package will focus on measures to support human rights, long-term economic and social development, including alternative development, and an end to violence.

Burma

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the implementation of sanctions against Burma.

Ben Bradshaw: This Government have been at the forefront of international efforts to bring about good governance, respect for human rights and a return to democracy in Burma. Sanctions have been a significant aspect of this effort. We believe multilateral sanctions are the most effective and we were instrumental last year in securing a strengthening of the EU Common Position on Burma that includes an asset freeze and visa ban for members of the Burmese regime, an arms ban and a ban on non-humanitarian aid. In the UK, this has been implemented through the Burma (Sale, Supply and Export of Goods) (Penalties) Regulation (SI 2000/1408) and Burma (Freezing of Funds) Regulation 2000 (SI 2000/1472) and the Immigration (Designation of Travel Bans) (Amendment) Order 2000. We have given a cautious welcome to recent positive developments in Burma, such as the release of some political prisoners and the lessening of the restrictions on pressure on the National League for Democracy. But we will not soften our position until there is evidence of real change in Burma.

Burma

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese Government about continuing violations of human rights being committed against the Karen, Karenni and Shan people by the Burmese army.

Ben Bradshaw: Contacts between British and Burmese officials are necessarily limited but we make representations to the Burmese authorities on their treatment of ethnic minorities whenever suitable opportunities arise. In January, a visit by EU Troika representatives to Burma raised with the regime this issue among other human rights concerns.
	We also fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to Burma, Tan Sri Razali Ismail, who is encouraging the regime to move towards national reconciliation and a return to democracy. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Razali on 26 June to discuss these issues.
	Multilaterally, we have ensured that violations of human rights in ethnic minority areas are properly covered in UNCHR and UNGA, and by the ILO in its examination of forced labour in Burma.

Burma

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has discussed Burma with his predecessor.

Ben Bradshaw: I am aware of the keen interest my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary and my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) took in Burma. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I look forward to carrying on the very important task of encouraging national reconciliation, respect for human rights and a return to democracy in Burma.

India

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has had since his appointment with representatives of the Indian Government; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Brajesh Mishra, Principal Secretary to Indian Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee, and Nareshwar Dayal, Indian High Commissioner in London, on 26 June. They discussed a range of regional and bilateral issues, including the consular cases of Peter Bleach and Ian Stillman. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has also spoken on the telephone with Jaswant Singh, the Indian Foreign Minister, about regional issues.

Malaysia

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the detention without trial in Malaysia under the Internal Security Act of 10 members of the opposition party.

Ben Bradshaw: On 10 April 2001, seven members of the opposition party were detained under the International Security Act. Since then a further three were detained under the same legislation. Two of the detainees have been released without charge and two have been released by order of the High Court. EU Heads of Mission raised the issue with the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs on 17 May 2001. We have raised the matter with the Malaysian High Commission in London and hope that the situation will be resolved quickly. We and our EU partners are following the situation closely.

NORTHERN IRELAND

James Alfred Cornhill

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the outcome was of the investigation into the shooting of James Alfred Cornhill on 19 April 2000; and what views were expressed by the Police Ombudsman.

Jane Kennedy: The investigation into the shooting of James Alfred Cornhill has been completed, and the Director of Public Prosecutions has returned the file to the Police Ombudsman who is now considering the disciplinary aspects of the case. Until that process is complete the Police Ombudsman's views will not be available.

RUC (Complaints)

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the outcome was of the investigation into complaints against the RUC made by David McCombe and Padraig McCracken.

Jane Kennedy: The Police Ombudsman's investigation into the complaints has not yet been completed.

Police Weaponry

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers have attended overseas conferences and training events on use of less-than-lethal arms and weaponry in the past 12 months; and at what cost.

Jane Kennedy: Two Royal Ulster Constabulary officers attended a Less Lethal Seminar at Pennsylvania University in April 2001 at a cost of £3,216.

Plastic Baton Rounds

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many claims have been submitted by police officers for injuries allegedly caused by faulty equipment associated with the discharge of plastic baton rounds in each of the last 10 years; how many of these claims have been settled; and at what cost.

Jane Kennedy: There have been no such claims.

Shoot-to-kill Incidents

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to rulings of the European Court of Human Rights on alleged shoot- to-kill incidents in Northern Ireland on 1 June.

Jane Kennedy: As a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, the United Kingdom takes very seriously the findings of the European Court. The Government have three months from the date of the judgments to decide their response (ie by 4 August) and are considering this very carefully.
	I should point out that none of the judgments found the UK to have breached Article 2 of the Convention (the right to life) in respect of the actual deaths, but found against the Government in respect of a number of procedural issues relating to post-death investigatory procedures in place at the time.

Robert Hamill

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Royal Ulster Constabulary officers who were present at the scene of the death of Robert Hamill on 27 April 1997 (a) have since left and (b) continue to serve in the RUC.

Jane Kennedy: Of the four officers in the vehicle near the scene of the assault on Robert Hamill on 27 April 1997 two officers have left the RUC, one officer is suspended and the other is still serving in the RUC.

Patten Reforms

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means non-governmental organisations and victims' support groups may assist in monitoring implementation of the Patten reforms on policing.

Jane Kennedy: As recommended in the report of the Independent Commission on Policing, the Government have appointed a Commissioner to oversee the implementation of the policing reforms. Other groups and organisations may, of course, choose to follow implementation in areas of interest to them and many have been, and will continue to be, consulted on the introduction of changes.

Criminal Justice

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish a draft Criminal Justice Bill for Northern Ireland; and what steps he is taking to improve the record of the police service in promoting parity of esteem.

Des Browne: It is our intention to publish in draft soon the Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill. Detailed preparation of the legislation and an implementation plan is well advanced. Subject to the outcome of consultations, we expect to bring forward the actual Bill in the autumn.
	The police provide a service to the whole community in Northern Ireland.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Auld Report

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Auld report will be published.

Michael Wills: Lord Justice Auld will complete his review of the criminal courts shortly. The Government will make arrangements for publication once his report is received.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

ATM Machines (Sub-post Offices)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made by the Government to the Post Office about its proposal to charge a levy for the use of ATM machines in sub-post offices.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 5 July 2001
	Decisions about making transaction charges for use of ATM machines at sub-post offices are a commercial matter for Post Office Network. The Government do not welcome the imposition of charges for access to cash but where such charges apply this should be made clear to the user. Wherever possible, Post Office Network seek arrangements for ATM machines at sub-post offices to be free of transaction charges but in some locations it would not be financially viable to install ATMs without a transaction charge being made.
	People on pensions and benefits have the option of collecting their cash free of charge over the post office counter and have no need to use a cash machine for which a transaction charge is made unless they choose to do so.

Employees Directive

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the compatibility of the EU directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees with the protocol on the application of subsidiarity and proportionality of the treaty of Amsterdam; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: Our view of the Commission's original proposal was that it was too prescriptive and paid insufficient regard to subsidiarity. By contrast, the text agreed by member states at the Employment and Social Affairs Council on 11 June avoids a rigid "one size fits all approach" which would be inappropriate for the UK given our diverse practices in this area. In particular the draft provides that the practical arrangements for information and consultation shall be defined and implemented in accordance with national law and industrial relations practices in individual member states.

Employees Directive

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of the cost to industry of implementing the EU directive establishing a framework for informing and consulting employees.

Alan Johnson: My Department prepared a regulatory impact assessment on the Commission's original proposal. A copy was attached to Explanatory Memorandum 3099/98 submitted by my Department on 15 January 1999. This estimated that the recurring costs to the economy would be between £219 million–£257 million, and the non-recurring costs (of setting up arrangements) would be between £84 million–£88 million. The directive has yet to be finally agreed as it now goes to the European Parliament for Second Reading. A revised regulatory impact assessment will be prepared when the Government consult on the implementation of the directive in the UK.

Office of Science and Technology

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the review of the Office of Science and Technology carried out in her Department includes an examination of the research councils.

Patricia Hewitt: There is no separate review being carried out of the Office of Science and Technology (OST).
	The quinquennial review of the six grant-awarding Research Councils (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)) was announced on 13 February 2001 by my noble Friend Lord Sainsbury, Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation. Regular reviews are a key component of the Government's commitment to improving the quality and effectiveness of public services. Government agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are required to be subject to quinquennial reviews which consider the alternative options for the provision of the service, the way that the service fits into wider governmental objectives, and the extent of any synergies with other service providers.
	The review of the seventh council, the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC), a non-grant awarding body, was announced on 13 June 2000. The report of stage one was published in the autumn and stage two is underway.
	The cross-departmental science and research review, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 26 June 2001, Official Report, column 39W, will examine the funding of the UK science base and the effectiveness of all Departments' science and research programmes to ensure that they deliver maximum long-term benefits to the economy and quality of life. This covers Government-financed research across all Government Departments, including OST.
	In addition, on 27 June 2001, Official Report, column 94W, I announced a wide-ranging review of DTI priorities and structure. This will consider the broad priorities of the whole Department, including OST, and how it directs its resources to make the Department more unified, modern and effective in framing policy and delivering services to customers.

Special Advisers

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the special advisers in her Department together with their date of appointment and their responsibilities; which of them are authorised to speak to the media; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: To date, I have appointed one special adviser, Jim Godfrey. He was appointed on 11 June. He has a range of duties including the political aspects of media handling. I have no plans to make a statement.

Productivity

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the impact of regulation on UK productivity.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government keep the regulatory environment under constant review. Where it is shown that a regulation is unnecessary or ineffective, we will act to improve or abolish it. The Regulatory Reform Act 2001 provides us with a powerful and flexible tool to do this.
	Strong competitive pressures across our economy are a key driver for productivity. The Government have announced that they wish the OFT and other competition authorities to advise where laws and regulations affect competition. This role applies to both existing and proposed legislation.
	The International Institute of Management Development "World Competitiveness Yearbook" Indicators for 2000 show that UK labour market regulation is perceived to be significantly less restrictive than that of other major European countries and on a par with that in the United States. The OECD found in 1999 that in terms of product market regulation, the UK had the least restrictive overall regulatory environment of any member country.

Parental Leave

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to implement paid parental leave for parents with children aged five years or under.

Alan Johnson: The Government have recently extended parental leave to all parents with children who were under five at 15 December 1999, when the right was first introduced.
	Experience since then suggests that parental leave has created fewer practical problems for business than may first have been anticipated, and the time is now right to increase the number of parents who are able to exercise the right.
	The Green Paper "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice" was published in December 2000, laid out a series of options to help parents balance their work and family lives and included the option to pay parental leave.
	Responses to the consultation revealed that paid parental leave was not a high priority for employees or employers in comparison to other options and accordingly the Government have decided not to take this option forward.

Rural Recovery Fund

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will reply to the letter of the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire of 7 May concerning the Rural Recovery Fund.

Patricia Hewitt: The issues raised by the hon. Member in his letter of 7 May fall within the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The letter has therefore been transferred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a reply.

Mirlees Blackstone

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what instructions she has given to the Export Credits Guarantee Department in support of Mirlees Blackstone of Hazel Grove in their bid to obtain credit for their contract with the Batman power station project in Turkey; and what action she will take to ensure UK exporters are treated no less favourably than other EU companies in securing export credit guarantees.

Patricia Hewitt: ECGD has considered this application for cover against its normal risk underwriting criteria and has concluded that the financial risk is at present too great for an offer of cover to be made.
	The Government's objective is that ECGD cover should be broadly competitive with that available from other export credit agencies. This does not, though, mean that in order to match foreign competition, it can accept risks which fall below the minimum quality consistent with achieving its financial break-even objective.

Miners' Compensation

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what average compensation payment has been paid to former miners suffering from (a) vibration white finger and (b) respiratory diseases.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 5 July 2001
	With regard to vibration white finger the average compensation payment is currently £6,572. This mainly reflects cases of low disability where there is no claim for special damages. We expect the average to increase as more claims for special damages are processed.
	In relation to respiratory disease, the average expedited payment, which is offered on the basis of initial spirometry testing, is £5,412. The average offer so far in full and final settlement following the full medical assessment process is £9,847.

WALES

St. David's Day

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly concerning declaring St. David's day a bank holiday in Wales.

Paul Murphy: I meet regularly with the First Minister to discuss a range of issues affecting Wales.
	Last year, the National Assembly asked the Government to consider declaring St. David's day a public holiday in Wales. This raises significant issues for business, industry and the public sector. I am discussing these matters both with colleagues in Government and with the First Minister.

Regeneration Funds

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the distribution of regeneration funds in Wales.

Paul Murphy: Several funding programmes contribute towards regeneration in Wales. Significant among these are:
	European Structural Funds
	During the period 2000–06, Wales will be eligible for:
	C=1.85 billion (approximately £1.2 billion) for Objective 1 areas—which cover two-thirds of the Welsh population;
	C=81.39 million (approximately £51 million) for Objective 2 areas;
	C=39.73 million (approximately £25 million) of transitional support in areas formerly covered by Objectives 2 or 5b; and
	C=127 million (approximately £81 million) of Objective 3 funding—which is payable in those areas not covered by Objective 1.
	Regional Selective Assistance
	Paid in support of industrial investment in the Assisted Areas, which cover more than 2 million people in Wales.
	Communities First
	A community-centred regeneration strategy targeted at improving the living conditions and prospects of people living in the most deprived parts of Wales. A total of 88 communities—covering 119 electoral wards—will benefit from funding of £82.7 million over three years.
	Distribution of funds from these and other programmes is a matter for the National Assembly.

DEFENCE

National Missile Defence

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of RAF Fylingdales in the missile defence system.

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of RAF Fylingdales in missile defence systems.

Geoff Hoon: The US Administration are considering a range of options for missile defence both in the short and long-term. These include airborne and sea-based options, as well as options similar to those considered by the previous US Administration. They have not yet decided which of these options they will seek to deploy. It therefore remains too early to say whether or not a role for RAF Fylingdales will be proposed as part of any system.

National Missile Defence

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the benefits to the United Kingdom of the missile defence system proposed by President Bush.

Geoff Hoon: President Bush has not yet decided what sort of missile defence system the United States will deploy. It is therefore premature to carry out any such assessment.

National Missile Defence

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his United States counterparts concerning national missile defence.

Geoff Hoon: I have discussed missile defence with the US Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. I also discussed the subject regularly with his predecessor. I have consistently made it clear that we share US concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, and that we will continue to work together to tackle the potential threat with a comprehensive strategy. But it remains the case that the US has not decided how it wishes to proceed with missile defence and has made no request for the use of facilities in the UK.

Aircraft Procurement

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new aircraft his Department plans to procure for the RAF; and if he will make a statement.

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new aircraft his Department plans to procure for the RAF; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: Including aircraft on order, we currently plan to acquire 232 Eurofighter multi-role aircraft; 25 A400M transport aircraft; 25 C130J transport aircraft; 21 Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft; eight Chinook Mark 3 support helicopters; 22 Merlin Mark 3 support helicopters, and five modified Global Express jets to carry Airborne Stand-Off Radar. We will also lease four C-l7 transport aircraft.
	In addition, there are several projects where the exact number of aircraft which the RAF will use has still to be determined. These include: the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft; the Future Joint Combat Aircraft; the Future Offensive Air System; the Support, Amphibious and Battlefield Rotorcraft; and the UK Military Flying Training System programmes. Some of these programmes are planned to involve PFI solutions where the aircraft will not be owned by the Ministry of Defence.

BAE Systems

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which Governments he has made representations in the last six months on matters relating to future defence business in which BAE Systems has an interest.

Lewis Moonie: In accordance with the Government's commitment to a strong defence industry, ministers and officials in the Ministry of Defence have an on-going dialogue with many overseas Governments in support of the UK defence industry.

Bowman Communications System

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the award of the Bowman contract.

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make a decision on the new supplier of the Bowman communications system; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: A new competition for the Bowman communications system was announced on 25 July 2000. The competition has progressed ahead of schedule, with bids being received from Thales, General Dynamics company CDC, and TRW in February this year. All three bidders briefed Ministers recently and the Department is now in the final stages of a complex bid assessment process. We will announce a preferred supplier once we have fully assessed all the issues. On current plans we expect this to be by the end of July, ahead of our original timetable.

Suez (Medals)

Andrew Bennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received about awarding a service medal to those who guarded the Suez Canal Zone in the 1950s.

Lewis Moonie: I continue to receive representations from hon. Members and members of the public on the award of a medal for service in the Canal Zone during the 1950s.

European Defence Force

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the European Defence Force will have a planning capability separate from NATO.

Geoff Hoon: There is no standing European Defence Force.
	The EU has a very small military staff to support its ability to take decisions which have military implications. This staff will undertake the high level consideration of options to support political/military decision making.
	Heads of State and Government agreed at Nice that the EU military staff will not have an operational planning function. They also agreed that NATO will carry out operational planning for EU-led operations that have recourse to NATO assets and capabilities. Operational planning for other operations may be carried out in existing national and multinational headquarters, such as the UK's permanent joint headquarters at Northwood.

European Defence Force

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice he has received from his senior military advisers about the likely effectiveness of the proposed European defence force.

Geoff Hoon: The EU is not creating a standing European Defence Force.
	The EU Headline Goal required the identification of a pool of forces potentially available for EU-led operations. Nations nominated their contributions to this pool at a Capability Commitments Conference in November 2000. Further improvements are to be identified at a second Conference later this year.
	The purpose of the Headline Goal is to encourage EU member states to make improvements in military capability. It is mutually reinforcing with NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative.
	These arrangements are being developed on the basis of the best professional military advice.

A400M

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the A400M.

Lewis Moonie: A significant step forward has recently been achieved on the A400M programme. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence joined several European colleagues at the Paris Airshow on 19 June in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this programme. This MoU commits the UK to buying 25 A400M aircraft in order to satisfy the UK's Future Transport Aircraft requirement, alongside commitments from other partners. Signature of the A400M MoU paves the way for placement of the contract with Airbus Military Company. Signature of the contract is conditional on satisfactory completion of contractual negotiations, on which some important issues remain to be resolved but we are striving with our partners to ensure contract placement as soon as possible.

Service Strengths

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects each of the three services to reach their full manning strength.

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects each of the three services to reach their full manning strength.

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects each of the three services to reach their full manning strength.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell), Official Report, column 535.

Defence Medical Services

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he is making in recruiting medical and nursing staff into the defence medical services.

Lewis Moonie: Recruitment into training is generally satisfactory. We have increased the targets for medical cadets and trainee nurses and I am happy to say we have attracted a good response. Recruiting fully or partially trained personnel, particularly doctors and nurses, is more difficult. A new initiative has commenced with the aim of improving recruitment of fully trained personnel and will continue over the next year. We are, of course, continuing to work closely with the NHS on the issue of recruitment, as well as on many other matters.

Discrimination (Compensation)

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made by his Department in setting compensation claims for those service men and women discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality following the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.

Lewis Moonie: Excluding the four cases determined by the European Court of Human Rights, 11 claims have now been settled, by negotiation, at a total cost of £139,250.
	Negotiations are still ongoing between the Ministry of Defence's legal advisers and legal representatives acting for the remaining claimants with a view to reaching speedy conclusions to their cases.

Type 45 Destroyer

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the type 45 programme.

Lewis Moonie: The analysis of BAE Systems Marine's unsolicited bid continues and we intend to announce our decision as soon as is practicable. At our request RAND are studying a range of alternative procurement strategies for our future warship programmes, with particular focus on options for the type 45 destroyers. This study will help inform our decisions. Wider economic impacts of the way ahead, and value for money, will be taken into account when the Government reach their conclusions on the way ahead and all interested Government Departments are being consulted.

Ship Procurement

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ships his Department plans to procure for the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: Our forward shipbuilding programme for the Royal Navy is the largest for many years. We plan to introduce over 30 new ships into service in the next 15–20 years. This includes two large, more capable carriers due to enter service in 2012 and 2015 respectively, up to 12 new type 45 destroyers due to enter into service from 2007 onwards, and the new future surface combatant class. In addition, there are three new astute class nuclear-powered attack submarines due to enter service from 2005 and we will be considering placing an order for further astute submarines next year.
	Our procurement programme also involves major enhancements to our naval support and amphibious capabilities. Two new auxiliary oilers are expected to enter service in 2002 when we will also begin leasing three new offshore patrol vessels. In 2003, we will have two new multi-role survey vessels in service and two new landing platform docks. By 2006, we expect to have four new alternative landing ship logistics in-service.
	All these vessels will be built in UK yards and this programme provides an excellent opportunity for the British shipbuilding industry. In addition, we will have all six ro-ro vessels, comprising the strategic sealift service, available for the Ministry of Defence under PFI arrangement from 2003 onwards.
	This is only part of a wider modernisation programme that we are taking forward to enhance our maritime capability.

Macedonia

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on Macedonia.

Geoff Hoon: I was unable to attend the North Atlantic Council Defence Ministers meeting on 7 June, but I am in regular contact with the Secretary General of NATO, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, and have discussed events in Macedonia with him.

Army Training Facilities

Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to provide more UK-based training facilities for the Army.

Lewis Moonie: My Department evaluates its training facilities constantly in order to ensure that we have sufficient and appropriate facilities to allow our troops to meet their training objectives. Work is in progress in a number of areas which will help maximise the utility of our existing facilities.

Army Deployments

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the five largest deployments of British forces abroad.

Adam Ingram: As of 28 June 2001, the five largest operational deployments of UK service personnel overseas are: the UK contribution to NATO operations in Kosovo; the UK contribution to NATO operations in Bosnia; the UK contribution to coalition operations in the Gulf; the UK's training, advisory and assistance team in Sierra Leone and the UK contribution to UN operations in Cyprus.

Personnel Shortfalls

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the shortfall of service men in (a) the Army, (b) the Marines, (c) the Royal Navy and (d) the RAF; and to what extent the shortfall is supplemented by the Territorial Army.

Adam Ingram: The shortfalls in the trained strength of the armed forces as at 1 May 2001 are shown in the table. Column 3 shows the extent to which the shortfalls were being ameliorated by the use of Volunteer Reservists (e.g. the Territorial Army) and Regular Reservists:
	
		
			  Shortfall FTRS(3) Remaining shortfall 
		
		
			 Royal Navy 1,042 476 566 
			 Royal Marines 375 51 342 
			 Army 8,746 674 8,072 
			 RAF 1,795 (3)36 1,759 
		
	
	(3) This includes Limited Commitment (LC) and Home Commitments (HC) Full Time Reservists serving in the RAF.
	Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) is a new form of reserve service introduced by the Reserve Forces Act 1996. This legislation enables reservists to be employed on a wider variety of tasks than previously. This change has been particularly well received by personnel of the Reserve Forces and is being well used. It should be noted that both members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces, such as the Territorial Army (TA), and members of the Ex-Regular Reserve Forces (i.e. ex-Regulars who have left full-time service) can undertake FTRS.
	Reservists also contribute to enduring operations such as the Balkans and Sierra Leone by volunteering to be called out for permanent (i.e. mobilised) service, normally six-month tours. At present some 500 reservists are called out into permanent service. Although this further contribution by the Reserve Forces helps to relieve the Regular Forces shortfalls, it is short-term and does not count against the manpower strengths and requirements of the Regular Forces.

HMS Sheffield

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what instructions were given to the official stenographer relating to amending evidence given by witnesses at the inquiry into the sinking of HMS Sheffield; and if he will make a statement; [R]
	(2)  if he will publish the papers relating to the Board of Inquiry into the sinking of HMS Sheffield; if he will make copies available at no charge to the then crew of HMS Sheffield and their families; and if he will make a statement; [R]
	(3)  if he will establish a public inquiry into the sinking of HMS Sheffield; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what (a) court martial proceedings and (b) disciplinary action against crew of HMS Sheffield were recommended following the inquiry into her sinking; who made the decision on prosecution; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Adam Ingram: On 4 May 1982, HMS Sheffield was lost in action in the Falklands with the loss of 20 lives; 26 other members of the crew were injured. Our sympathies of course lie with the survivors from HMS Sheffield and with the families of those who lost their lives or suffered injury. In accordance with normal naval procedures a Board of Inquiry fully investigated the incident. I am confident that the original Board of Inquiry was conducted to the highest professional standards and there would be no useful purpose in reopening this tragic incident.
	Following the Board of Inquiry and after giving due consideration to the findings, in September 1982, the then Commander in Chief Fleet concluded that it was not appropriate to take disciplinary action against any member of the crew of HMS Sheffield.
	Much of the information put before the Board of Inquiry was, and remains, highly classified and I am withholding it under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Assess to Government Information which relates to defence, security and international relations.
	Instructions to the official stenographer would have been recorded in the Transcript of Evidence of the Board of Inquiry, but unfortunately, in the time available, I regret it has not been possible to trace the file containing the Transcript of Evidence. I will write to the hon. Member on that point when I have further information and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Stun Grenades

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the international code is for identification of the country of origin on munitions, with particular reference to stun grenades.

Adam Ingram: NATO uses the fifth and sixth digit of the NATO Stock Number (NSN) as an identifier of the country of origin (or manufacturer) of munitions. The NSN appears on the packaging of munitions and not necessarily on the munitions themselves.

Fertility Treatment

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to extend fertility treatment to service personnel and their families.

Lewis Moonie: Fertility treatment is not provided by the defence medical services, although contributory causes would be investigated and treated in accordance with normal medical practice. Service personnel seeking fertility treatment would need to obtain it through the national health service (NHS), or privately if they were prepared to meet the cost.
	The policy on the provision of fertility treatment in the NHS is under review. When new guidelines are issued to health authorities, the Ministry of Defence will consider what changes, if any, are necessary to our current policy on the provision of fertility treatment for Service personnel.

Bullying

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of his Department's report on bullying published in 1973–74 and on infantry bullying of young recruits published in 1990–91.

Adam Ingram: Officials are in the process of retrieving the relevant reports. Once this has been completed I will write to my right hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Menwith Hill

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance has been (a) asked for and (b) given to the US Government in transferring US personnel from Bad Aibling to Menwith Hill; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: My officials have discussed with the US authorities the transfer of some US personnel to RAF Menwith Hill following the closure of Bad Aibling in Bavaria. Current plans are that this will result in a temporary small net increase in staff numbers at RAF Menwith Hill over the next year. The personnel transferred in will be absorbed in existing operations, and do not represent any new mission being established in the UK.

Tanker Replacement

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the engines which will power the rival bids on the tanker replacement programme.

Lewis Moonie: Two consortia submitted bids for this PFI project on 3 July, so our evaluation of their proposals is at an early stage. Many details of the solutions offered are commercially sensitive and will remain so at least until we make a final investment decision around mid-2002. However, both bidders are content for it to be known that the aircraft currently specified in their bids are powered by Rolls-Royce engines.

Defence Aviation Repair Agency

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) civilian and (b) military personnel were employed by DARA at RAF St. Athan on 1 July.

Adam Ingram: On 1 July 2001 DARA employed 523 service personnel and 2,344 civilian at RAF St. Athan.

MOD Housing (Gosport)

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) acquisitions and (b) disposals of MOD housing are (i) in hand and (ii) planned in the Gosport constituency.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence has no current plans to provide new service family accommodation in the Gosport constituency. Fifty-one officers' quarters are to be provided at Seafield Park, Fareham as part of a joint Bath, Bristol, Seafield Park Private Finance Initiative (PFI). A decision has also been taken to begin a second Portsmouth PFI to provide 126 officers' and 35 other ranks' quarters. The precise location of this second PFI provision, ie whether it will be in the Gosport constituency or elsewhere in the Portsmouth/Gosport area, has yet to be determined.
	In the current financial year 29 properties in Old Rowner are to be returned to their owner, Annington Homes. Decisions have not yet been taken regarding any possible disposals for 2002–03 and beyond.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Minimum Income Guarantee

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many additional claims for the Minimum Income Guarantee (a) have been received, (b) have been processed and (c) were successful as a result of the national take-up campaign; and what his latest estimate is of the number of pensioners entitled to Income Support and not receiving it.

Ian McCartney: Up to the end of May 2001, 227,333 additional claims for Minimum Income Guarantee have been received and processed since the beginning of the MIG take-up campaign in May 2000. Of those claims 110,744 have been successful.
	The latest estimates of pensioners entitled to Income Support and not receiving it are set out in the publication "Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take Up in 1998–99". A copy is available in the Library.

Minimum Income Guarantee

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the timetable is for publishing the results of the quantative tracking research on pensioners' awareness of the Minimum Income Guarantee; and on what date the report on the use of the MIG claimline will be published.

Ian McCartney: Copies of the Management Summaries of the research to track pensioners' awareness of the Minimum Income Guarantee have been placed in the Library.
	We expect to publish the report on the evaluation of the Minimum Income Guarantee claim line later this year.

Minimum Income Guarantee

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners have become newly entitled to the Minimum Income Guarantee in each year since 1997 as a result of (a) benefit increases, (b) reduced capital and (c) reduced income.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available.

Minimum Income Guarantee

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons people who have responded to the Minimum Income Guarantee take-up campaign have had their claims refused, indicating the number affected by each reason.

Ian McCartney: The information is in the table.
	
		Reasons for refused claims and numbers affected from May 2000 to May 2001
		
			 Reason Percentage Number 
		
		
			 Income 54 62,958 
			 Capital 41 47,801 
			 Other 5 5,830

Minimum Income Guarantee

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) single and (b) married pensioners who have made a successful claim to the Minimum Income Guarantee as a result of the take-up campaign have received an additional weekly income of (i) less than £5, (ii) between £5 and £10, (iii) between £10 and £20, (iv) between £20 and £30, (v) between £30 and £40, (vi) between £40 and £50 and (vii) over £50.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available.

Minimum Income Guarantee

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) letters have been sent out, (b) telephone calls have been made to the MIG claim line, (c) postal packs have been sent out, (d) additional claims have been made and (e) additional successful claims there have been as a result of the MIG take-up campaign to the end of May.

Ian McCartney: As at the end of May 2001, 227,333 additional claims have been made since the beginning of the MIG take-up campaign. Of these, 110,744 have been successful.
	Between 30 May 2000 and mid-November 2000, 2.4 million Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) mailshot letters were issued and a further 102,000 were issued between 5 March 2001 and 9 March 2001.
	As at the end of June 2001, the MIG claim line answered 579,260 telephone calls and 571,900 postal packs were sent out.

Minimum Income Guarantee

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the number of elderly people entitled to the Minimum Income Guarantee but not claiming it; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: The latest estimates of the numbers of elderly people entitled to Income Support (Minimum Income Guarantee since April 1999) but not claiming it are set out in the publication "Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take Up in 1998–99", a copy of which is in the Library.

Statistics and Reports

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the publication dates of statistics and reports due to be released by his Department and the agencies under his Department in the next 12 months.

Ian McCartney: Information on the release dates of statistics published by the Department under the National Statistics banner is notified in the National Statistics Update issued by the Office for National Statistics. Release dates four months ahead are given and the information is rolled forward one month at the end of each month.

International Labour Organisation

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the effect on his Department's policies of the creation of a new world commission on the social dimension of globalisation by the International Labour Organisation.

Nick Brown: The Director General of the ILO has proposed a world commission to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the social dimensions of globalisation. This proposal, which has the broad support of the EU, will be discussed in more detail at the Governing Body of the ILO in November. Any implications for the UK should then be clear.

Child Support

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if a non-resident parent's responsibility to support a child will end if that child is adopted under the child support system to be introduced in April 2002.

Malcolm Wicks: A maintenance assessment can be cancelled when the non-resident parent ceases to be a parent of the child to whom the assessment applies. The provisions for the new scheme have the same effect. When a child is adopted, the non-resident parent will normally no longer be treated as a parent of that child.

Retirement Pension (Payday Regulations)

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate has been made of the savings to public funds from the retirement pension payday regulations contained in section 5 of the Social Security Act 1982;
	(2)  if he will review the retirement pension payday regulations contained in section 5 of the Social Security Act 1982.

Ian McCartney: The current regulations provide for the payment of retirement pension in whole weeks.
	If payment were made for part-weeks, and the recovery of overpaid benefit at the end of the claim was abandoned, we estimate the costs would be up to £20 million.
	There are no plans to change the present self- balancing arrangements.

Benefit Entitlement

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to require people to have their name on the electoral register as a requirement for receipt of benefit.

Malcolm Wicks: It is not practical to require people to have their name on the electoral register as a requirement of receipt of benefit. Some people who are entitled to benefit are not entitled to vote.

Departmental Website (Search Facility)

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to offer a search facility on the Department for Work and Pensions website in addition to the link to UK Online.

Malcolm Wicks: A search facility was introduced to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) site on 4 July. As well as searching the DWP site it also allows users to search the former DSS website, which continues to provide accurate and up-to-date information. The link to UK Online will remain.

Pension Credit

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will provide tables similar to those in the Annex to the consultation paper on the Pension Credit (Cm 4900), showing how the scheme would operate in 2013–14 and 2023–24, assuming that the Minimum Income Guarantee rises in line with earnings and the basic pension in line with prices from 2003 on.

Ian McCartney: The Pension Credit forms a key part of the Government's overall strategy for tackling pensioner poverty.
	We are completing the design of the Pension Credit and will publish details of our proposals, including their long-term implications when the Bill is introduced.

Pension Credit

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he proposes to take to achieve the aim, set out on page 24 of the consultation paper on the Pension Credit (Cm 4900), that pensioners receiving full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit should continue to do so after the introduction of the Pension Credit.

Ian McCartney: The Pension Credit forms a key part of the Government's overall strategy for tackling pensioner poverty.
	We are completing the design of the Credit and will publish details of our proposals when the Bill is introduced.

New Deal for Lone Parents

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the progress of the New Deal for Lone Parents in Coventry.

Nick Brown: By the end of April this year, 1,562 lone parents in the Coventry district had participated in the New Deal for Lone Parents. Of these, 49 had taken up education or training to improve their skills and 578 had found work.
	Across the country we are offering lone parents new choices. We are inviting lone parents into Jobcentres to give them the chance to find out about all of the measures that we have introduced. We are offering lone parents more opportunities than ever before to move off benefit and into work, providing a better future for themselves and their children.

New Deal for Lone Parents

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the evaluation of the New Deal for Lone Parents will be published.

Nick Brown: The evaluation of the prototype of NDLP was published on 3 March 2000. Follow up reports and research on the national phase of the programme have been published since then and new items of research are published as they are completed. We expect to publish a report, bringing together findings from all strands of the evaluation, in 2003.

SERPS

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have contracted back into SERPS from contracted-out money purchase pension schemes and approved personal pensions in each of the last three years.

Ian McCartney: The information is not yet available. We are currently analysing output from the NIRS2 computer system for accuracy and compatibility; this will take a number of months to complete.

Interpreting Services

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on the provision of interpreting services at Jobcentres and social security offices.

Nick Brown: If a jobseeker whose first language is not English requires an interpreter, Employment Service (ES) policy states that the Jobcentre must provide this service to ensure our obligations to equal opportunities are met. ES staff have access to a range of interpreter provision which includes: using colleagues within the Jobcentre, local authority or community who speak the relevant language; asking if the jobseeker would like to bring a friend or relative along to translate; and, through a contract with the Benefits Agency, access to the telephone interpreting service 'Language Line'.
	The Benefits Agency also have a responsibility to make appropriate provision to communicate with customers who do not speak English, who use British Sign Language, or who require the services of a lipspeaker or deafblind interpreter. The policy for the delivery of interpreting services is: where it is necessary to interview a customer who does not speak English or Welsh, arrangements must be made within one working day to provide an interpreter 1 .
	1 The arrangements should be made within one working day, the interview does not have to take place within one working day.

Stakeholder Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if life insurance cover may be included in the minimum contribution level needed for a group personal pension to be accepted as an alternative to a stakeholder pension.

Ian McCartney: Yes, but the proportion of the minimum 3 per cent. contribution level that can be used for insurance premiums to provide death benefits depends on when the arrangement was set up.
	If the arrangement for paying premiums via the personal pension was set up before 6 April 2001, a maximum of 5 per cent. of the employee's net relevant earnings can still be used towards the term assurance contract.
	But where the arrangements commenced on or after 6 April 2001, the maximum that can be paid as a premium is 10 per cent. of the pension contribution. Thus if the only pension contribution is the employer's 3 per cent., the maximum that can be used as a premium is 10 per cent. of the 3 per cent.

Stakeholder Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research his Department is undertaking to assess the income levels of people who invest in stakeholder pensions.

Ian McCartney: As part of a wide-ranging evaluation of the impact of stakeholder pensions the Department is undertaking a programme of dedicated research and analyses of administrative and statistical information. Details of individuals' incomes have been, or will be, collected in all research among individuals undertaken by, or on behalf of, the Department in connection with the evaluation of stakeholder pensions. Questions on stakeholder pensions will, for example, be included in the Office for National Statistics (ONS's) General Household Survey and in the Department's Family Resources Survey.

Stakeholder Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions are taking place between the Government and Opra to ensure there is a clear set of guidelines by which to determine which companies are fined for breaking the new stakeholder rules; and if small firms will be offered more leeway than larger firms when the rules have been broken.

Ian McCartney: From 8 October employers who are not exempt will be required to provide their employees with access to a stakeholder pension. The new requirements on employers are not onerous; but for many this will be their first involvement with pensions.
	The Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) is an independent regulator. Their priority is to get employers to comply with the new arrangements. A key part of this process is to continue to educate employers about the requirements of the new arrangements.
	Where an employer is reported to Opra for a breach of the rules, a warning letter will be sent by Opra to the employer. The letter will explain the new requirements and the obligations that employers now have. The employer will be asked to submit evidence of compliance. Cases where the employer continues to fail to comply with the new arrangements will be considered by Opra on an individual basis according to the circumstances of each case. The level of any fine will depend upon the circumstances surrounding a breach, including how the employer has responded on being contacted about the breach.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Car Boot Sales

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the number of arable farms which benefit from income from car boot sales; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: There are no figures available on the number of arable farms which benefit from income from car boot sales.

Energy Efficiency

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the impact on energy use of providing home buyers with tailored energy efficiency advice on properties.

Michael Meacher: It is very difficult to provide an accurate quantification of the energy savings expected from the provision of energy efficiency advice. However, figures from the Energy Saving Trust's Energy Efficiency Advice Centres suggest that 60 per cent. of their customers act in some way to advice given. They estimate that this has resulted in energy savings per home of £26 per year, or around 1,600 kiloWatt hours.
	As my hon. Friend may know, as part of our proposals to improve the home buying and selling process, the Government propose to require sellers to include an energy efficiency report, prepared by an approved home inspector, in a new seller's pack. The purpose is to put information in the hands of the buyer at the time they are most likely to be taking decisions about expenditure on a property.
	Assuming that savings are similar to those resulting from advice given by the Advice Centres, we estimate that energy efficiency advice in the seller's pack could save around two TeraWatt hours per year. This is based on around 1.3 million home transactions per year in England and Wales.

Energy Efficiency

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what is the average interval between application and granting of moneys for the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (a) in total, (b) in Gloucestershire and (c) the Forest of Dean.

Michael Meacher: The average time taken from initial application to payment to installers is set out in the table. The figures identified include the time taken by HEES surveyors to identify measures to be installed and installers submitting and receiving payment of their invoices following completion of works, typically 6–8 weeks:
	
		Days 
		
			  Insulation Heating 
		
		
			 England 96 168 
			 Gloucestershire 91 143 
			 Forest of Dean 93 134

Plutonium MOX Fuel

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the text of the letter sent to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent, dated 11 May, concerning the remit of consultants Arthur D. Little in the independent appraisal of the revised BNFL economic and market assessment for plutonium MOX fuel; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the completed ADL study.

Michael Meacher: My letter to my hon. Friend was dated 30 May; the answer I gave on 11 May 2001, Official Report, column 386W, said that I would write to him. I have placed a copy of my 30 May letter in the Library of the House.
	We intend to publish the Arthur D. Little report as soon as possible, excluding only that material—such as contract prices—whose publication would cause unreasonable commercial damage to BNFL's commercial operations or to the economic case for the MOX plant itself. A copy of this, too, will be placed in the Library. We propose to allow people four weeks for comment.

Foot and Mouth

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regarding help for businesses that have suffered losses due to the foot and mouth crisis.

Alun Michael: My predecessor as chairman of the Rural Task Force, my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, West and Royton (Mr. Meacher), and officials in former DETR and DEFRA, have held frequent discussions with DCMS Ministers and officials as I have done since taking on this role. The Minister for Tourism, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells), is a member of the Rural Task Force, and he and I have met twice since the general election. The Government have provided significant assistance for businesses indirectly affected by foot and mouth disease, including interest-free deferral of tax payments, extra central subsidy where local authorities grant hardship relief from rates, and the £50 million Business Recovery Fund administered by Regional Development Agencies.

Foot and Mouth

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria she has published for the re-opening of public footpaths following the foot and mouth outbreak.

Alun Michael: On 23 May we issued revised guidance to local authorities, based on the latest veterinary risk assessment published at the same time, that it was safe to re-open all public rights of way outside 3 km protection zones around infected premises. The veterinary risk assessment concluded that the likelihood of footpath users transmitting the foot and mouth disease virus was extremely small. Nevertheless, as part of our drive to eradicate foot and mouth disease all path users are urged to observe the precautions published in the codes of conduct issued with the guidance.

Foot and Mouth

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the advice her Department is offering to local authorities on the re-opening of footpaths after the foot and mouth outbreak.

Alun Michael: holding answer 3 July 2001
	Guidance was issued by the Government on 23 May, based on veterinary risk assessment, that footpaths outside 3 km protection zones around Infected Premises may be safely re-opened. That guidance remains in place.
	As part of our strategy for rural recovery we want to see footpaths and other rights of way re-opened wherever it is safe to do so. This is essential in order to enable rural businesses to return to normal working and is fully consistent with our priority of doing everything possible to eradicate foot and mouth disease. In addition I have announced my intention to lift the power of local authorities to impose a blanket ban on use of footpaths in an area except where a local authority can show it is needed to maintain the effectiveness of efforts to eradicate foot and mouth disease. I hope to make a further announcement shortly following the current consultation with local authorities.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when and by what means the Government announced its intention to hold an inquiry into foot and mouth disease; if she will ensure that the inquiry considers (a) the merits of greater use of vaccination, (b) the role of the Environment Agency in specifying farms and other sites suitable for burial of carcases and (c) the implication for local communities of mass burial sites; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 26 June 2001
	There will be an inquiry, when the disease is finally over. We have always said we are keen to learn the lessons from this outbreak. The precise nature and scope of the inquiry will be a matter for the Prime Minister.

Foot and Mouth

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's plans to hold an independent public inquiry into the foot and mouth crisis.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	It is right that we consider very carefully the full range of issues connected with the foot and mouth outbreak. The question of whether there should be a public inquiry is one for the Prime Minister.

Foot and Mouth

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to allow an independent audit of the official foot and mouth statistics.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	There is no current plan to conduct an independent audit of the official foot and mouth statistics but the compilation and presentation of statistics will no doubt be among the areas to be considered when reviewing the issues arising from the outbreak.

Foot and Mouth

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes there have been for official statistical purposes to the definition of foot and mouth carcase disposal since 20 February.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	Carcase disposal has and continues to be defined for official statistics purposes by reference to the date on which disposal was completed. This is reflected in the statistical data published on the DEFRA website http://www.defra.gov.uk/. The only change has been in terms of the time taken to make information available; previously the time lag tended to make the situation appear worse than it was. Systems have been improved so that statistics are now entered much more quickly and give a more accurate picture.

Foot and Mouth

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date the Government defined the foot and mouth outbreak as an epidemic.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	The Government have not set a date from which the outbreak should be considered an epidemic.

Foot and Mouth

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information the Government have received from studies of the genetic fingerprint of the virus responsible for the current foot and mouth epidemic in the United Kingdom; and what understanding further to the type O PanAsia strain identification of the virus.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	We have looked at the genetic fingerprint of 27 isolates of foot and mouth disease virus during the current outbreak in the UK. These included representative samples from different areas of the country and from different time-points since February 2001. All were very closely related to the PanAsia strain of FMDV type O. Sequences studied in the Republic of Ireland, France and the Netherlands were essentially identical to the UK isolations.

Foot and Mouth

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what scientific advice the Government have received on the type and the overseas geographical source of the viruses responsible for the current foot and mouth epidemic in the United Kingdom.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	The PanAsia strain of FMDV type O (the virus identified in the UK outbreak) is distributed over much of southern Asia. Pinpointing an exact origin has not been possible.
	Work is continuing at the Institute of Animal Health to determine the complete genome sequence of the UK outbreak strain and to compare it with the genome sequences of viruses from South Africa, China and South Korea to obtain additional data about the extent of the relationships between those strains.

Foot and Mouth

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the duties of EU member state Governments in respect of information and instructions received from the EU concerning restrictions on imports from non-EU countries affected by animal disease outbreaks.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	It is the duty of each EU member state Government to transpose into national law all Community legal instruments adopted by the European Commission in relation to outbreaks of animal disease in non-EU countries and to enforce them accordingly.

Foot and Mouth

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the number of (a) calves, (b) lambs and (c) piglets that have been included in the foot and mouth cull but not recorded in official figures for the number of animals culled.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	Young animals culled as a result of foot and mouth disease are included in the total slaughter figure. This figure, including calves, lambs and piglets, is updated daily on the DEFRA foot and mouth disease website http://www.defra.gov.uk/.

Farm Animal Welfare

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the terms of reference for the proposed independent commission on farming and food will include improvements in farm animal welfare; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Judy Mallaber) on 28 June 2001, Official Report, column 178W.

Potato Harvest

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations (a) she and (b) her predecessor received about extending the date limit on harvesting potatoes on set-aside land in Northumberland following exceptionally wet weather; and if extensions have been granted.

Alun Michael: holding answer 28 June 2001
	The date limit for harvesting potatoes, or other crops, from set-aside land is designed to ensure that farmers cannot receive both an EU payment for taking land out of production and revenue from agricultural operations during the set-aside period. In a normal year any previously planted crops must be harvested by 15 January at the latest in order to comply with this condition, which is laid down in implementing legislation for the EU's Arable Area Payments Scheme. In view of a number of representations from the industry at the time, the UK twice successfully applied to the European Commission to have the date postponed, initially to 31 March and subsequently to 30 April, in order to allow sufficient time for harvesting to be completed where field conditions resulting from exceptionally wet weather had earlier made this impossible. We also secured a derogation allowing failed crops to be ploughed in at any time before the 15 May claim deadline, without prejudicing eligibility for set-aside payment.
	Notwithstanding these changes, my predecessor did receive some subsequent representations asking for a further postponement of the harvesting date limit beyond 30 April. The European Commission were not prepared to agree to this, pointing both to the practical difficulties of ensuring that crops harvested so late had genuinely been planted with a view to harvest by 15 January, as normally required, and to the likely condition of such crops after so long in unworkable ground.

Fuel Poverty

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many submissions were made to the consultation on the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy; how many of these responses recommended that the definition of fuel poverty should use a form of disposable income; and if she will make a statement on the Government's plans for assessing and responding to the consultation.

Michael Meacher: Over 240 responses have been received on the draft UK Fuel Poverty Strategy. Since the consultation only ended every recently these are now being analysed before decisions are taken on the best way forward.

Departmental Responsibilities

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when preparations began 
	(1)  for the transfer of responsibility for environmental sustainability to the new Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs;
	(2)  for the reorganisation of Whitehall responsibilities involved in the creation of the new Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs;
	(3)  for the transfer of responsibility for the Environment Agency to the new Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	In keeping with normal practice, contingency work was undertaken within the civil service during the election campaign, on the basis of proposals published in party manifestos.

Departmental Responsibilities

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the role of rural advocate will change because of the creation of her Department.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	No. The role of the rural advocate, as the Government's statutory adviser on the countryside, is to argue the case on countryside issues and for rural people at the highest levels across Government and outside. That task will be assisted by bringing together rural policy responsibilities in my Department but many other Departments have responsibility for policy areas with a major impact on rural communities.

Quangos

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the number of quangos previously overseen by the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions will reduce following the establishment of her Department.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	There are no current plans to do so, but the need for each non-departmental public body is regularly reviewed.

Tractors

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what limit was agreed by the EU Employment and Social Policy Council on tractor use and the length of the transition period.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	The EU Employment and Social Policy Council is not seeking to impose a specific limit on tractor use. However, it has been discussing the proposed Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive which would, among other provisions, set a mandatory limit for exposure to whole body vibration. Limiting whole body vibration would affect tractor driving time but the impact will depend on the magnitude of the vibration in individual cases. The Council agreed on a maximum dose of 1.15 metres per second squared (a measure of acceleration) averaged over an 8-hour period for whole body vibration exposure. In the case of tractor use, the impact would vary, depending on factors such as seating and cab design. Under the transition arrangements proposed agriculture would not be required to comply with the whole body vibration limits until 2013.
	The Directive has not been agreed and is due to be considered by the European Parliament in September.

Tourism

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the division of responsibility for tourism between her Department and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	Tourism is an increasingly important industry for many rural communities and my Department will be keen to work closely with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, our regional and local partners, and the Countryside Agency and other stakeholders in promoting the contribution it can make to the rural economy.
	There has been no change to the responsibilities of DCMS in relation to rural tourism.

Food Safety

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the division of responsibility for food and food safety between her Department, other Government Departments and the Food Standards Agency.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	This Department retains the responsibilities for food of the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which embrace all elements of the food chain from primary agricultural production to retailing and the protection of public health in relation to farm produce and to animal diseases transmissible to humans. The Department will work closely with other Departments to promote sustainable and diverse farming and food industries that work together to meet the needs of consumers. Food safety remains the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency.

Agriculture Council

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Minister in her Department will in normal circumstances attend meetings of the Agriculture Council.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	I will.

Fishmeal

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the restrictions in the use of fishmeal in animal feed.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	A proposal to extend the restriction on the use of fishmeal in ruminant feed failed to secure a qualified majority in the Agriculture Council of 19 June. In the absence of a qualified majority against the proposal, the Commission are now free to extend the ban under their own competence, and they have expressed their intention to do so. However, they have undertaken to review the ban once a diagnostic test to differentiate between animal and fish protein is validated.

South African Meat Exports

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) value and (b) volume of meat products exported from South Africa to the United Kingdom was in each (i) year and (ii) month since 1997.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	Official Overseas Trade statistics show that the value and volume of meat products exported from South Africa to the United Kingdom since 1997 was as follows:
	
		UK imports of beef from South Africa: January 1997 to April 2001
		
			  Carcase meat Meat and offal preparations Total  
			 Year Tonnes £000 Tonnes £000 Tonnes £000 
		
		
			 1997   
			 May 13 40 — — 13 40 
			 September — — 52 97 52 97 
			 December 59 217 35 70 93 287 
			 1998   
			 March — — 17 32 17 32 
			 April — — 52 94 52 94 
			 July 89 236 — — 89 236 
			 September 15 39 — — 15 39 
			 October 166 455 — — 166 455 
			 1999   
			 May 209 557 67 165 276 722 
			 June 15 37 — — 15 37 
			 2000   
			 January — — 17 23 17 23 
			 February 15 12 — — 15 12 
			 April 58 161 — — 58 161 
			 May 4 16 — — 4 16 
			 June — — 17 49 17 49 
			 October 56 143 17 59 72 203 
			 December — — 34 51 34 51 
			 2001   
			 January — — 34 51 34 51 
			 February — — 34 51 34 51 
			 March 15 29 34 51 49 80 
			 April — — 51 76 51 76 
		
	
	
		UK imports of pigmeat from South Africa: January 1997 to April 2001
		
			   Pork  
			  Tonnes £000 
		
		
			 1997   
			 February 9 13 
			
			 1998   
			 March 20 10 
		
	
	No imports were recorded for other meat products.
	Only months for which trade was reported are shown in the tables.

Fox Numbers

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what effect the cessation of fox hunting with dogs as the result of foot and mouth disease has had on the total number of foxes.

Alun Michael: There is no information collected centrally which could provide the basis for an answer to this question. The pressure on the Department's staff—and indeed on all organisations involved—has been enormous and collation of data at this time is focused on information relevant to eradication of foot and mouth disease.

Petrol Safety

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received calling for the introduction of third party monitoring of wetstock at petrol retailers.

Alan Whitehead: I have been asked to reply.
	HSE does not collect statistics on the number of field visits and inspections made by environmental health officers to petrol retail outlets using underground storage tanks. Local authority petroleum officers issue licences under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 to petrol retail outlets to ensure the safe storage of petrol.

Petrol Safety

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what initiatives are being undertaken to ensure that petrol retail site managers are fully trained to assess wetstock risks.

Alan Whitehead: I have been asked to reply.
	A recent circular, jointly issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authority interests (PETEL 65/34 "leak detection in tanks and pipework"), gives relevant advice to petroleum officers on this topic. Petroleum officers will use this advice when carrying out inspections. The circular is available on the HSE website.

Mobile Telephone Masts

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice she gives to local authorities in relation to planning applications for mobile telephone masts; what research her Department is sponsoring into the health risks involved; and what proposals she has to review such advice.

Sally Keeble: I have been asked to reply.
	Government planning policy for telecommunications is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (revised): Telecommunications and the Department's Circular 4–99 "Planning for Telecommunications".
	In June 2000, my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Housing, Planning and Construction wrote to Council Leaders in England to explain the action the Government had in hand to take forward the planning recommendations of the Stewart report ("Mobile Phones and Health") published in May 2000, and to give guidance on how local planning authorities should take into account health aspects when considering planning applications.
	On 16 March 2001, Official Report, columns 748–51W, my right hon. Friend announced a series of important changes to the planning system for telecommunications masts which will significantly strengthen the current arrangements. On that day, he wrote to the Leaders of all Councils in England and to all hon. Members for constituencies in England to advise them of the proposed changes. Copies of the letter were sent to chief planning officers.
	We shall introduce the rules and publish the revised Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG8) on Telecommunications Development to implement the changes at the earliest opportunity.
	In December 2000, the Department of Health announced a new research programme, costing around £7 million and funded jointly by Government and industry, which will be directed and overseen by a task force led by Sir William Stewart. It will carry out research into the effects of mobile phone technology on health and the process will ensure that Government and the public are kept up to date with new research findings.
	The Government are keeping the whole area of mobile phone technologies under review in the light of further research.

Millennium Dome

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to clean the roof of the dome; and if she will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: I have been asked to reply.
	None, although English Partnerships, as owners of the dome, will of course keep under review all matters relating to management and maintenance of their assets.

Vitamins and Minerals

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the work of the ad hoc expert advisory group on vitamins and minerals.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	The Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals was established to review the safety of high-dose vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure that the public are not put at risk.
	The group expect to complete the reviews of the relevant scientific information on the safety of individual vitamins and minerals shortly. Following this, the group will complete risk assessments for the vitamins and minerals reviewed. Its conclusions will be issued by the Food Standards Agency for public consultation with a view to publishing its final report in 2002. A copy of the final report will be sent to the Scientific Committee on Food to inform deliberations by that committee on a draft proposal for an EU Council Directive relating to the addition of nutrients to foods.

Ministerial Responsibilities

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will provide a detailed list of the responsibilities of the Ministers in her Department.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 25 June 2001
	The responsibilities of Ministers in my Department are as follows:
	Secretary of State: right hon. Margaret Beckett MP
	Overall responsibility for all departmental issues. Will represent the UK at the EU Agriculture Council.
	Minister of State (Environment): right hon. Michael Meacher MP
	Sustainable development. Climate change. Environmental protection and water issues. Wildlife and conservation. SSSIs and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Energy efficiency. Will represent the UK in the EU Environment Council.
	Minister of State (Rural Affairs): right hon. Alun Michael MP
	Rural affairs and countryside issues. Oversight of delivery of Rural White Paper. Chairs Rural Task Force. Partnership with voluntary and community groups in rural areas. Hunting with hounds. Regional issues. Overall lead on ERDP. Department's e-business strategy.
	Parliamentary Secretary (Commons): Elliot Morley MP
	Animal Health, including TSEs and follow-up to Phillips Inquiry Report. Animal welfare. Fisheries (will represent the UK in EU Fisheries Council). Whaling. Forestry. Agri-environment schemes. Floods and coastal defence. Departmental administrative issues.
	Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Lords): The Lord Whitty
	Food and farming. Horticulture. Plant health. General oversight of departmental science and R&D. Rural Payments Agency. Inland Waterways.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Trainee Teachers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what is the drop out rate for teacher training courses for (a) PGCE and (b) BEd courses (i) for each institution and (ii) for each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: Information for 1997–98 is not available. Information on final year trainees for 1998–99 is available in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. Information for 1999–2000 will be released on 12 July.

Students

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students dropped out of university courses in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001.

Margaret Hodge: The latest "Performance Indicators in Higher Education" published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England give an overall non-completion rate for students starting full-time first degree courses in the UK in 1997–98 of 17 per cent., a figure which has stayed roughly constant since 1991–92. Figures for students starting courses in 1998–99 will be published by HEFCE in September.
	In 2000, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published a table comparing estimates of drop-out rates in member countries. They showed an average of around a third of university students dropping out of their courses in OECD countries. The UK had the second lowest drop-out rate among the 30 OECD countries.

SSAs

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average annual standard spending assessment is for each (a) primary school and (b) secondary school pupil in England; what the comparable figures for pupils in Somerset are for the latest available year; what her estimate is of the additional expenditure which would be necessary to bring the per pupil SSA in Somerset up to the average for England; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 4 July 2001
	The table shows for 2001–02 the education SSA per primary and secondary pupil for England and Somerset.
	
		£ 
		
			 SSA England Somerset 
		
		
			 Primary per pupil 2,588 2,405 
			 Secondary per pupil 3,313 3,098 
		
	
	These differences amount to £12.6 million in 2001–02. Since 1997–98 Somerset's recurrent funding, including specific and special grants, has been estimated to have increased in real terms (2000–01 prices) by £570 per 5 to 15-year-old pupil. Total funding for pupils aged 5 to 15 in Somerset LEA has been provisionally estimated to amount to £198.4 million in 2001–02.

Vice-chancellors

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to scrutinise the effectiveness of vice-chancellors.

Margaret Hodge: Vice-chancellors are appointed by and are accountable to the governing body of their individual university and my right hon. Friend has no plans to alter current arrangements.

Tuition Fees

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the anticipated revenue is from tuition fees in England and Wales for each of the years 2002–03 to 2006–07; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 4 July 2001
	The projected income to higher education institutions in England and Wales from tuition fees governed by the student support regulations, the mandatory award regulations and for those post-graduate students funded by the research councils is shown in tables 1 and 2:
	
		Table 1: Estimated tuition fee income to English institutions
		
			£ million  
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Public contributions to fees 498 493 500 
			 Student contributions to fees(4) 350 376 400 
			  
			 Total 848 869 900 
		
	
	(4) The student contributions are net of an estimated 5 per cent. cost for collection and any default.
	
		Table 2: Estimated tuition fee income to Welsh institutions
		
			£ million  
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Public contributions to fees 33.5 33.4 33.8 
			 Student contributions to fees(5) 25.0 27.2 28.7 
			  
			 Total 58.5 60.6 62.5 
		
	
	(5) The student contributions are net of an estimated 5 per cent. cost for collection and any default.
	Note:
	Estimates are not available beyond 2003–04.

School Provision

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment has been made of the need to build (a) new primary and (b) new secondary schools in the West Chelmsford parliamentary constituency and Great Baddow as a result of anticipated house building in the area until 2011.

Stephen Timms: The Government believe that decisions concerning the organisation and supply of school places are best taken locally—by the main partners in the provision of education who have knowledge of local needs. It is the responsibility of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) to ensure that there are sufficient school places within their area.
	Should a borough council propose new housing developments as part of its local plan, we would expect the LEA's School Organisation Plan (SOP) to reflect any projected increases in the pupil population. All LEAs are required to produce a SOP, which sets out how they propose to deal with deficits and surpluses of school provision over a rolling five year period. The SOP sets the context for proposals to change school organisation in the area, and may include proposals to establish new schools or enlarge existing ones.
	If, as a result of housing developments, the LEA identifies a need for additional primary and secondary school places, we would consider any future capital bids from Essex that meet the published criteria for support.

Equal Opportunities

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of equal opportunities policies for all staff in higher education institutions.

Margaret Hodge: Higher education institutions have submitted their human resource strategies to the Higher Education Funding Council for England so that it can allocate the extra £330 million the Government are providing over three years to support increases in academic and non-academic pay. To gain their share of this funding institutions need to demonstrate that their strategies include clear and practicable equal opportunities policies. The Equality Challenge Unit set up by the higher education funding councils and representative bodies will work directly with institutions to help them deliver the improvements in monitoring and performance they have promised in their equal opportunities policy statements.

Further Education

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the notional national pay scales for (a) lecturers and (b) administrative and support staff in the further education sector.

Margaret Hodge: I understand that the Association of Colleges (AoC), as the colleges' employer' group, issues notional national pay scales but these are a matter for the AoC and the relevant unions.

Further Education

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many colleges have not implemented the full awards of the notional national scale; and if she will make a statement.

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of further education colleges failed to award the nationally recommended pay rise in each year since 1992.

Margaret Hodge: The Department does not collect this information. I understand that data obtained by the Association of Colleges on the extent of pay implementation for 2000–01 indicate that (from an 80 per cent. response rate) 73 per cent. of colleges that responded had made an award either equal to or in excess of the national recommended level, and that a further 12 per cent. intended to do so at a later date.

Further Education

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many unfilled vacancies there are in the further education sector for lecturer posts; and how many there were in (a) 2000, (b) 1997 and (c) 1993.

John Healey: The information requested is not collected centrally. Information on staff numbers in FE sector colleges is collected via SIR (Staff Individualised Record). SIR does not include details on vacancies, leavers, salary or grade.
	The Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) collected and published information on staff numbers in the FE sector on an annual basis. The responsibilities of the FEFC have now been taken over by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Further Education

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time (i) lecturers and (ii) administrative and support staff were employed in the further education sector in (A) 1993, (B) 1997, (C) 2000 and (D) 2001.

John Healey: The estimated number of staff employed in the FE sector are shown in the following table:
	
		Numbers of staff employed in the FE sector by mode and primary role
		
			 Thousand  
			   1997–98  1998–99  
			   Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time 
		
		
			 Teaching staff 49.1 92.7 48.1 96.6 
			 Support staff 11.9 13.0 12.3 11.5 
			 Other staff 35.4 29.4 35.3 30.2 
			  
			 Total staff 96.4 135.1 95.7 138.3 
		
	
	The Further Education Funding Council (FEFC), collected and published information on staff in the FE sector on an annual basis. The responsibilities of the FEFC have now been taken over by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Information on staff is taken from the Staff Individualised Record (SIR). The SIR covers English FE sector colleges only.
	SIR data for the whole year were collected from all colleges for the first time in July 1995, relating to the 1994–95 college year. This collection was repeated for 1995–96, for 1996–97, for 1997–98 and for 1998–99. Data for 1999–2000 and 2000–2001 are not yet available. Data for 1993–94 were not collected on a comparable basis.

Further Education

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the further education colleges that have (a) implemented and (b) failed to implement the nationally recommended pay increase for college staff in the last five years, ranking those in each category according to the level of pay increase awarded.

Margaret Hodge: The Department does not collect this information. I refer my hon. Friend to my reply given earlier today to his related question on the implementation of pay awards.

Further Education

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to restore college lecturers' pay levels to parity with the teaching profession.

Margaret Hodge: We are aware of the historic funding gap between schools and FE created by the last Administration and have pledged to ensure upwards convergence over time and as resources allow. We have already made an unprecedented investment in the sector, which should allow colleges greater flexibility to meet the genuine aspirations of their staff. An additional £300 million is available to colleges over the next three years specifically to reward high quality teaching, as part of the Teaching Pay Initiative (TPI). This is separate to any general pay rise a teacher may receive.

Further Education

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many unfilled further education lecturer posts there were in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: The information requested is not collected centrally. Information on staff numbers in FE sector colleges is collected via SIR (Staff Individualised Record). SIR does not include details on vacancies, leavers, salary or grade.
	The Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) collected and published information on staff numbers in the FE sector on an annual basis. The responsibilities of the FEFC have now been taken over by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

School Drinking Water

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the availability and accessibility of drinking water for pupils in schools; what plans she has to introduce regulations to ensure availability and accessibility of drinking water for pupils in schools; and what steps she proposes to take in respect of schools where drinking water is (a) not readily available to pupils and (b) only available in toilets.

Stephen Timms: It is for local education authorities and schools to decide how the provision of drinking water should be made, along with their general duty to ensure the health and safety of pupils. However, schools have a statutory requirement to provide a wholesome supply of water for domestic purposes, including a supply of drinking water.

School Drinking Water

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact of dehydration on pupils' concentration, learning behaviour and educational performance; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Department for Education and Skills has not made any assessment of the effect dehydration would have on the educational achievements or behaviour of children in schools.

Contract Lecturers

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if Silver Book contract lecturers in further education are eligible for payments under the Teachers' Pay Initiative.

Margaret Hodge: Yes, they are eligible.

Teacher Training Agency

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the Teacher Training Agency budget was spent in (a) the northern region and (b) Stockton in the last financial year.

Stephen Timms: This information is not available. The Teacher Training Agency does not account for its budget on a regional basis.

Blenheim High School

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the impact of the withdrawal of capital funds for the completion of Blenheim high school in Epsom and Ewell as a consequence of the Government's abolition of grant maintained status.

Stephen Timms: Following the decision to end grant maintained status, and after consultation with external partners, transitional regulations were put in place to fund capital work at grant maintained schools where obligations had been entered into or decisions taken by the Funding Agency for Schools or the Secretary of State before 1 September 1999. These transitional regulations enabled the Department to meet outstanding commitments for capital funding approved before this date.
	I understand that Blenheim high school has already received sufficient capital funding to meet the commitments covered by the transitional regulations. However, I have asked officials to meet with the school and Surrey local education authority to confirm the position.

Sixth Forms

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the future of funding for school sixth forms following the introduction of learning and skills councils.

Ivan Lewis: From 1 April 2002 school sixth forms will be funded by the learning and skills council. To assist this change, all school sixth forms have a guarantee that their funding will not fall below the funding level of 2000–01 in real terms, provided their sixth form numbers do not fall. For new sixth forms, a proxy real terms guarantee will be calculated based on local spending levels.

Supply Teachers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of national spending on teachers' remuneration was spent on supply teachers in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: This information is not collected centrally.

"Schools—Building on Success"

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what meetings have been held with outside bodies to discuss the Green Paper 'Schools—Building on Success'.

Stephen Timms: Officials at my Department invited a cross-section of the main stakeholders to discuss the proposals in the Green Paper, "Schools—Building on Success". Meetings were held with representatives from all the teacher unions and associations, school governor associations, faith groups, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the Local Government Association, and the Association of Chief Education Officers/Society of Education Officers.

"Schools—Building on Success"

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to allow private sector companies to recruit and manage teaching staff in schools which are deemed to be (a) successful and (b) failing.

Stephen Timms: We proposed in the Green Paper "Schools—Building on Success" that new models would be developed to allow private or other sponsors to take responsibility for either weak, failing or successful schools. Where the private sector, or anyone else, has expertise that can help schools to improve we should use it. The forthcoming White Paper will set out the arrangements for doing so.

"Schools—Building on Success"

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the meetings (a) she and (b) other ministers in her Department have had with representative bodies and others to discuss the Green Paper, 'Schools—Building on Success'.

Stephen Timms: Officials arranged and held meetings with organisations. My right hon. Friend was made aware of the issues raised. Meetings took place with a cross-section of the main stakeholders, including teacher unions and associations.

"Schools—Building on Success"

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received in respect of the Green Paper, 'Schools—Building on Success'.

Stephen Timms: Officials have held meetings to discuss the proposals in the Green Paper with representatives from all the teacher unions and associations, school governor associations, faith groups, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the Local Government Association, and the Association of Chief Education Officers/Society of Education Officers.
	Written responses to the Green Paper consultation exercise have also been sent by a number of individuals and organisations, including those who attended the meetings.

Teachers (Stoke-on-Trent)

George Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers were employed in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Stoke-on- Trent in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The full-time equivalents of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) employed in the maintained school sector in Stoke-on-Trent local authority were as follows:
	
		
			 January Nursery/ primary Secondary Total 
		
		
			 1998 990 820 1,810 
			 1999 980 830 1,800 
			 2000 970 840 1,810 
			 2001(6) 950 870 1,820 
		
	
	(6) Provisional—subject to validation
	Note:
	Totals may not be the sum of the component parts because of rounding
	Stoke-on-Trent local authority was created on 1 April 1997.

Infant School Places

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many appeals were made to local education authorities in respect of infant places in schools for children in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The available information is shown as follows.
	
		Appeals lodged by parents against non-admission of their children in maintained private schools
		
			 Academic year Number 
		
		
			 1999–2000 28,728 
			 1998–99 32,194 
			 1997–98 30,868 
			 1996–97 32,643

Teachers' Pay

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the budget is in their first year of operation for teachers' threshold payments; and how much has been spent on the preparation and implementation of and training for the scheme (a) from her Department's budget and (b) from other public education budgets.

Stephen Timms: To the end of June 2001, the Department has paid about £350 million to local authorities to cover the additional salary costs of teachers passing the threshold. The Department has a contract with Cambridge Education Associates (CEA) for the provision and deployment of threshold assessors and external advisers to governing bodies on heads' performance. It also has a contract with the Centre for British Teachers (CfBT) for training in threshold assessment and performance management. The value of these contracts depends on the volume and quality of activity. To June 2001 we estimate that total CEA contract costs have been about £22 million–£24 million and CfBT contract costs about £12 million–£14 million.
	The Standards Fund for 2000–01 provided £40 million to help schools introduce performance management and threshold assessment. £32 million of this came from the Department and the rest from local education authorities. £28 million is available through the Standards Fund for 2001–02 to help schools operate performance management and threshold assessment. This is 100 per cent. funded by the Department.

Teachers' Pay

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received in respect of the legality of departmental regulations allowing school governors to use teacher appraisal results to establish pay levels.

Stephen Timms: The National Union of Teachers has suggested in response to consultation that the proposed regulations contain provisions in relation to appraisal results and pay determination which are outside the Secretary of State's powers in relation to these regulations.

Teachers' Pay

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she will take to make regulations allowing governors to use teacher appraisal results to set pay levels.

Stephen Timms: The Secretary of State is satisfied that the provision permitting appraisal results to be taken into account in the exercise of pay discretions, which has been in regulations governing teachers' appraisal since 1991, is within the law.

Vulnerable Young People

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures (a) have been and (b) will be introduced to make the mapping and tracking of vulnerable young people not in education, training or employment easier.

Margaret Hodge: A comprehensive, national approach to tracking young people is being developed as part of the Connexions Service.
	The system will enable Connexions partnerships to identify those not in learning more readily and support a more comprehensive approach to advice and guidance for those with multiple problems. It will also enable partnerships to support those who move between partnership areas more easily.

School Achievement Awards

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the scheme for school achievement awards was devised; and what consultation took place before its introduction.

Stephen Timms: Details of the scheme were first published in the Green Paper "Teachers, meeting the challenge of change" in December 1999.
	We consulted relevant national bodies about the design of the School Achievement Awards Scheme in May—June 2000. We confirmed the scheme design in September.

School Achievement Awards

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the criteria for the allocation of school achievement awards were announced; and if he will publish them.

Stephen Timms: Details of the scheme were first published in the Green Paper "Teachers, meeting the challenge of change" in December 1999. Details of the scheme were published in a DfES leaflet (DfEE/0159/2000) issued September 2000 and can also be found on the scheme website at www.dfes.gov.uk/teachingreforms/rewards/ schoolachieve. The criteria are now being reviewed for the next round.

School Achievement Awards

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which schools received school achievement awards; and for what reasons schools received two separate allocations under the school achievement awards scheme.

Stephen Timms: The names of the award-winning schools were announced on 15 March. About 7,000 schools have won awards, equivalent to 30 per cent. of maintained schools in England. A full list of the award winning schools was posted to the House of Commons Library at the time of the announcement.
	The Department had always planned to check the value of every award before paying the money to schools. In some cases we found that schools would be getting less than they should, so we topped up their awards to the correct level. This means that every award-winning school will either receive the amount it was initially told it would receive or a larger amount. The figures placed in the House of Commons Library reflect these recalculations.

Vocational A-Levels

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2001, Official Report, column 442W, how units in the vocational A-Level course are graded; and what are the results of the unit examinations or assessment for 2001.

Ivan Lewis: Vocational A-level units are not graded. Unit results are reported to students on a scale of zero to one hundred. From these, students can work out their grade equivalents. However, vocational A-level qualifications are graded A to E.
	The Joint Council for General Qualifications did not publish the January unit results.

General Teaching Council

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 26 April 2001, Official Report, column 364W, what is the value of the standard rate which is paid by the General Teaching Council to schools to facilitate the release of teachers for GTC work.

Stephen Timms: The value of the standard rate is a matter for the GTC to set in accordance with a scheme approved by the Secretary of State. I have asked the chief executive of the GTC to write to the hon. Member with details of the rate that is paid. A copy of her response will be placed in the Library.

General Teaching Council

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers had not paid the General Teaching Council fee by 15 June 2001.

Stephen Timms: The General Teaching Council (GTC) is funded by the Government until October. No teachers have been asked to pay a fee by 15 June. The arrangements for collecting the fee are a matter for the GTC and I have asked the chief executive of the GTC to write to the hon. Member with details of the arrangements. A copy of her response will be placed in the Library.

General Teaching Council

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what nominations the General Teaching Council has received for the election to the position of chairman.

Stephen Timms: The election of the chairman of the General Teaching Council (GTC) is entirely a matter for the Council. I have asked the Chief Executive of the GTC to write to the hon. Member with details of any nominations. A copy of her response will be placed in the Library.

General Teaching Council

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the answer on 26 April 2001, Official Report, column 364W, when the chief executive of the General Teaching Council will write to the hon. Member for Maidenhead about details of payments made to members since the GTC was established and the members' support scheme.

Stephen Timms: The chief executive of the General Teaching Council wrote to the hon. Member on 11 May with information about both items. I have asked the chief executive to send a copy of the letter and enclosures that were issued to the hon. Member.

Pupil Exclusions

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 26 April 2001, Official Report, column 363W, what financial penalties are levied on schools for non-compliance with the Department's exclusion reduction target.

Stephen Timms: The latest permanent exclusion figures for 1999–2000 indicate that exclusions have fallen to around 8,600, nearly a third less than the peak of 12,700 in 1996–97. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is satisfied that the level of exclusions we have reached is sustainable and, therefore, she does not intend to set fresh exclusion targets for reducing permanent exclusions further. My right hon. Friend has also announced new measures to: change the law on exclusions to reflect the interests of the school community; consult on extending Parenting Orders and maximising support to schools in dealing with disruptive children and violent parents; produce a positive package of preventive action to promote good behaviour; make Admissions Forums, whose role will include the re-integration of excluded pupils, mandatory.
	We have significantly increased the resources available to schools and local education authorities to tackle poor behaviour and provide education to excluded pupils, from £17 million in 1996–97 to £131 million in 2000–01 and again to £174 million this year—a tenfold increase. Before April 2000 most of this money was held centrally by local authorities to support authority-wide initiatives to tackle poor behaviour and provide education to excluded pupils. For the first time in April 2000 the majority of this funding was devolved directly to schools so that they could decide how best to tackle poor behaviour. Schools have, therefore, benefited by an additional £100 million in 2000–01 and £126 million this year. Where a child has to be excluded some of the money previously held by local authorities which is now in schools reverts back to the local authority. This money can be used by the authority to provide education outside school or to support a re-integration package at a new school. This procedure follows the principle introduced by the last Conservative Government of money following the excluded pupil. By September 2002 all permanently excluded pupils must be offered full-time education and not the 2–3 hours per week all too typical in the past.

Adult Literacy

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the findings of the OECD report, "Education at a Glance", in respect of UK adult literacy rates.

John Healey: The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development report, "Education at a Glance", published in June 2001 and based on fieldwork undertaken between 1994 and 1998, notes the relationship between differences in literacy levels and income inequality. The United Kingdom performs better than some of our international competitors, including the United States, but has ground to make up to achieve the higher levels of literacy skills in countries such as Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.
	The Government have recognised the vital importance to individuals and the economy of improving adult literacy and numeracy. Research suggests that improved literacy and numeracy skills can help people earn up to £50,000 more over their working life. The benefit to society of better skills has been valued at £10 billion a year. Our strategy, "Skills for Life", launched by the Prime Minister in March, will improve the basic skills of 750,000 adults by 2004. Many of these will come from groups we have prioritised for our support, including the unemployed, those in low-skilled jobs and those living in disadvantaged areas. By helping them improve their literacy and numeracy skills, we aim to create a more prosperous and more equal society. As we set out in the Labour manifesto, this is the first of our 25 steps to a better Britain.

School Teachers Review Body

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list (a) each review that the STRB has been asked to conduct in the last year and (b) each matter that STRB has been asked to look into.

Stephen Timms: My right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State for Education and Employment gave the School Teachers Review Body (STRB) its remit for the main 2001–02 pay round on 3 August 2000, and has given the STRB two additional special remits in the last year. On 28 July 2000 he gave them a remit to examine and report on the performance threshold standards and assessment procedures for classroom teachers. He gave the STRB a further remit on 23 March 2001 to examine and report on the Government's proposal to offer a 'welcome back' bonus to qualified teachers who return to the maintained school sector in England in the period to 31 December 2001, having been out of service for at least a year.

Initial Teacher Training

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list each institution which offers an ITT course, indicating for each (a) how many students are on an ITT course and (b) how many students have passed (i) the literary skills test and (ii) the numeracy skills test for each year since their introduction.

Stephen Timms: The table contains information on the numbers of trainees registered on initial teacher training (ITT) courses for 1999–2000 and 2000–01. Information on the numbers of trainees on each ITT course who have passed the literacy and numeracy skills tests is not available. Of those trainees who took the paper-based numeracy tests last year, 93 per cent. passed. The Teacher Training Agency will publish information on the pass-rates for the computerised literacy and numeracy tests in 2000–01 this autumn.
	
		TTA: Funding and Allocations
		
			   PostgraduateUndergraduate  
			 1999–2000 total registrations Primary Secondary PG total Primary Secondary UG total Grand total 
		
		
			 Institution
			 Anglia Polytechnic University 46 85 131 269 54 323 454 
			 Association of Muslim Schools 0 4 4 0 0 0 4 
			 Bath Spa University College 168 204 372 282 0 282 654 
			 Bexley Primary SCITT 20 0 20 0 0 0 20 
			 Billericay Education Consortium 19 0 19 0 0 0 19 
			 Bishop Grosseteste College 24 0 24 632 0 632 656 
			 Borough of Poole 25 0 25 0 0 0 25 
			 Bournemouth and East Dorset Consortium 24 0 24 0 0 0 24 
			 Bradford and Ilkley Community College 55 46 101 355 0 355 456 
			 Bretton Hall 28 105 133 306 0 306 439 
			 Bromley Schools Collegiate 0 22 22 0 0 0 22 
			 Brunel University 58 156 214 158 138 296 510 
			 Canterbury Christ Church University College 170 312 482 631 0 631 1,113 
			 Central School of Speech and Drama 0 55 55 0 0 0 55 
			 Centre for British Teachers 0 49 0 0 0 0 49 
			 Cheltenham and Gloucester CHE 92 123 215 396 0 396 611 
			 Chester College of HE 23 51 74 397 0 397 471 
			 Chiltern Training Group 0 32 32 0 0 0 32 
			 Coastal Confederation 0 22 22 0 0 0 22 
			 College of Ripon and York St. John 177 31 208 485 92 577 785 
			 College of St. Mark and St. John 85 139 224 381 370 751 975 
			 Cumbria Primary Teacher Training 22 0 22 0 0 0 22 
			 De Montfort University 71 159 230 449 516 965 1,195 
			 Devon Secondary TT Group 0 16 16 0 0 0 16 
			 Dorset TT & Devon Partnership 25 0 25 0 0 0 25 
			 Edge Hill College of HE 60 279 339 690 215 905 1,244 
			 Essex Primary School Training Group 16 0 16 0 0 0 16 
			 Gloucestershire ITE Partnership 0 12 12 0 0 0 12 
			 Goldsmiths College 63 241 304 273 32 305 609 
			 Grand Union Partnership 0 16 16 0 0 0 16 
			 Homerton College, Cambridge 142 294 436 205 146 351 787 
			 Institute of Education 239 665 904 0 0 0 904 
			 Keele University 27 267 294 49 0 49 343 
			 Kent Training Group 0 14 14 0 0 0 14 
			 King Alfred's College, Winchester 42 0 42 772 5 777 819 
			 King's College London 0 188 188 0 46 46 234 
			 Kingston University 36 67 103 333 0 333 436 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 27 22 49 235 367 602 651 
			 Lindisfarne SCITT 27 0 27 0 0 0 27 
			 Liverpool Hope 160 159 319 762 0 762 1,081 
			 Liverpool John Moores University 0 124 124 264 625 889 1,013 
			 London Diocesan Board 27 0 27 0 0 0 27 
			 Loughborough University 41 144 185 0 37 37 222 
			 Manchester Metropolitan University 212 773 985 1,248 319 1,567 2,552 
			 Marches Consortium 0 37 37 0 0 0 37 
			 Maryvale Institute 0 22 22 0 0 0 22 
			 Middlesex University 25 144 169 223 23 246 415 
			 Mid-Essex Consortium 0 24 24 0 0 0 24 
			 Newman Catholic Partnership 0 17 17 0 0 0 17 
			 Newman College 27 15 42 390 217 607 649 
			 North Bedfordshire Consortium 0 17 17 0 0 0 17 
			 North Riding College 56 0 56 146 0 146 202 
			 North West Kent Teacher Trainers 0 20 20 0 0 0 20 
			 Nottingham Trent University 46 48 94 363 118 481 575 
			 Open University 0 444 444 0 0 0 444 
			 Outstanding Schools SCITT 90 0 90 0 0 0 90 
			 Oxford Brookes University 75 62 137 212 0 212 349 
			 Sheffield Hallam University 195 249 444 358 331 689 1,133 
			 Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council 0 36 36 0 0 0 36 
			 Somerset SCITT Consortium 22 0 22 0 0 0 22 
			 South Bank University 92 0 92 2 0 2 94 
			 South East Essex 24 0 24 0 0 0 24 
			 South West Teacher Training 0 19 19 0 0 0 19 
			 St. Martin's College 289 342 631 1,367 43 1,410 2,041 
			 St. Mary's College 87 93 180 409 155 564 744 
			 Staffordshire University 0 18 18 0 0 0 18 
			 The North London Consortium 0 24 24 0 0 0 24 
			 The Oxfordshire Consortium 21 0 21 0 0 0 21 
			 The Shire Foundation 18 0 18 0 0 0 18 
			 Titan Partnership 0 13 13 0 0 0 13 
			 Trinity and All Saints 0 109 109 418 63 481 590 
			 University College Chichester 51 78 129 474 310 784 913 
			 University College Northampton 63 0 63 395 0 395 458 
			 University College Worcester 79 158 237 382 45 427 664 
			 University of Bath 0 160 160 0 0 0 160 
			 University of Birmingham 95 258 353 0 0 0 353 
			 University of Brighton 49 202 251 385 611 996 1,247 
			 University of Bristol 0 197 197 0 0 0 197 
			 University of Cambridge 0 185 185 0 0 0 185 
			 University of Central England 52 146 198 379 30 409 607 
			 University of Derby 27 0 27 291 0 291 318 
			 University of Durham 55 219 274 332 0 332 606 
			 University of East Anglia 148 149 297 0 0 0 297 
			 University of East London 143 0 143 0 0 0 143 
			 University of Exeter 123 312 435 249 124 373 808 
			 University of Greenwich 50 26 76 379 203 582 658 
			 University of Hertfordshire 97 69 166 428 0 428 594 
			 University of Huddersfield 0 157 157 0 36 36 193 
			 University of Hull 46 133 179 0 12 12 191 
			 University of Leeds 71 367 438 0 0 0 438 
			 University of Leicester 119 178 294 0 0 0 297 
			 University of Liverpool 20 113 133 0 0 0 133 
			 University of Manchester 64 200 264 0 0 0 264 
			 University of Newcastle upon Tyne 67 199 266 0 0 0 266 
			 University of North London 52 81 133 241 11 252 385 
			 University of Northumbria at Newcastle 75 90 165 255 24 279 444 
			 University of Nottingham 0 301 301 0 0 0 301 
			 University of Oxford 0 148 148 0 0 0 148 
			 University of Plymouth 65 47 112 610 0 610 722 
			 University of Portsmouth 0 85 85 0 0 0 85 
			 University of Reading 23 195 218 438 0 438 656 
			 University of Sheffield 0 165 165 0 0 0 165 
			 University of Southampton 74 190 264 0 0 0 264 
			 University of Sunderland 27 93 120 311 382 693 813 
			 University of Surrey Roehampton 195 194 389 904 0 904 1,293 
			 University of Sussex 0 128 128 0 0 0 128 
			 University of Warwick 45 194 239 478 0 478 717 
			 University of West of England, Bristol 121 183 304 514 90 604 908 
			 University of Wolverhampton 64 104 168 259 82 341 509 
			 University of York 0 126 126 0 0 0 126 
			 Urban Learning Foundation 22 10 32 0 0 0 32 
			 Wandsworth Primary Schools' Consortium 18 0 18 0 0 0 18 
			 West Midlands Consortium 0 31 31 0 0 0 31 
			 Westminster College, Oxford 53 74 127 323 14 337 464 
			 Woodrow First School 12 0 12 0 0 0 12 
			  
			 Grand total 5,583 12,574 18,157 21,487 5,886 27,373 45,530 
		
	
	Data source:
	1999–2000 TTA ITT Recruitment Survey
	1999–2000 HEFCE Recruitment Survey
	
		TTA: Funding and Allocations
		
			   Postgraduate(7)   Undergraduate  
			 2000–01 total registrations Primary Secondary PG total Primary Secondary UG total Grand total 
		
		
			 Institution
			 Agency for Jewish Education 16 0 16 0 0 0 16 
			 Anglia Polytechnic University 46 77 123 250 44 294 417 
			 Association of Muslim Schools 0 7 7 0 0 0 7 
			 Bath Spa University College 189 244 433 159 0 159 592 
			 Bexley Primary Consortium 18 0 18 0 0 0 18 
			 Billericay Educational Consortium 20 0 20 0 0 0 20 
			 Bishop Grossteste College 61 0 61 653 0 653 714 
			 Borough of Poole SCITT 25 0 25 0 0 0 25 
			 Bournemouth and East Dorset SCITT 18 0 18 0 0 0 18 
			 Bradford College 83 52 135 353 0 353 488 
			 Bretton Hall 32 104 136 296 0 296 432 
			 Bristol and Bath Catholic Partnership 0 12 12 0 0 0 12 
			 Bromley Schools' Collegiate 0 23 23 0 0 0 23 
			 Brunel University 84 215 299 168 123 291 590 
			 Canterbury Bhrist Church University College 301 369 670 754 0 754 1,424 
			 Central School of Speech and Drama 0 61 61 0 0 0 61 
			 Centre for British Teachers 0 35 35 0 0 0 35 
			 Cheltenham and Gloucester College 138 205 343 373 0 373 716 
			 Chester College 38 84 122 371 0 371 493 
			 Chiltern Training Group 0 38 38 0 0 0 38 
			 College of Ripon and York St. John 193 26 219 495 70 565 748 
			 College of St. Mark and St. John 98 164 262 364 334 698 960 
			 Cornwall SCITT 0 46 46 0 0 0 46 
			 Cumbria Primary Teacher Training 19 0 19 0 0 0 19 
			 De Montfort University 74 147 221 444 443 887 1,108 
			 Devon Secondary Teacher Training Group 0 18 18 0 0 0 18 
			 Dorset Teacher Training Partnership 24 0 24 0 0 0 24 
			 Edge Hill 60 405 465 671 303 974 1,439 
			 Essex Primary Collegiate 18 0 18 0 0 0 18 
			 Essex Primary Schools Training Group 12 0 12 0 0 0 12 
			 Gatsby SCITT 0 10 10 0 0 0 10 
			 Gloucester SCITT Consortium 0 20 20 0 0 0 20 
			 Goldsmiths College 92 271 363 242 39 281 644 
			 Grand Union Training Partnership 0 13 13 0 0 0 13 
			 Homerton College 165 289 454 168 97 265 719 
			 Institute of Education 241 686 927 0 0 0 927 
			 Keele University 0 280 280 36 0 36 316 
			 Kent Training Group 0 14 14 0 0 0 14 
			 King Alfred's College 68 0 68 797 0 797 865 
			 King's College 0 195 195 0 17 17 212 
			 Kingston University 40 80 120 283 0 283 403 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 20 16 36 256 285 541 577 
			 Lindisfarne SCITT 26 0 26 0 0 0 26 
			 Liverpool Hope 237 262 499 799 0 799 1,298 
			 Liverpool John Moores University 0 169 169 248 498 746 915 
			 London Diocesan Board for Schools 26 0 26 0 0 0 26 
			 Loughborough University 37 165 202 0 0 0 202 
			 Manchester Metropolitan University 304 794 1,098 1,288 301 1,589 2,687 
			 Marches Consortium 0 51 51 0 0 0 51 
			 Maryvale Institute 0 22 22 0 0 0 22 
			 Mid Essex SCITT Consortium 0 22 22 0 0 0 22 
			 Middlesex University 30 175 205 194 16 210 415 
			 National Secondary Music SCITT 0 14 14 0 0 0 14 
			 Newman College 25 13 38 404 202 606 644 
			 Newman Partnership 0 20 20 0 0 0 20 
			 North Bedfordshire Consortium 0 20 20 0 0 0 20 
			 North East Essex Coastal Confederation 0 24 24 0 0 0 24 
			 North London Consortium 0 21 21 0 0 0 21 
			 North West Kent Teacher Trainers 0 18 18 0 0 0 18 
			 Northampton Teacher Training Partnership 0 16 16 0 0 0 16 
			 Nottingham Trent University 59 88 147 428 115 543 690 
			 Outstanding Primary School SCITT 88 0 88 0 0 0 88 
			 Oxford Brookes University 189 136 325 453 0 453 778 
			 Oxfordshire Consortium 21 0 21 0 0 0 21 
			 Portsmouth Primary SCITT 21 0 21 0 0 0 21 
			 Primary Catholic Partnership 24 0 24 0 0 0 24 
			 Sheffield Hallam University 219 269 488 396 299 695 1,183 
			 Shire Foundation 14 0 14 0 0 0 14 
			 Solihull Secondary SCITT 0 35 35 0 0 0 35 
			 Somerset SCITT Consortium 23 0 23 0 0 0 23 
			 South Bank University 159 0 159 0 0 0 159 
			 South London Teacher Training 0 21 21 0 0 0 21 
			 South Suffolk Primary SCITT 32 0 32 0 0 0 32 
			 South West Teacher Training 0 18 18 0 0 0 18 
			 St. Martin's College 377 400 777 1,404 50 1,454 2,231 
			 St. Mary's College 128 94 222 421 133 554 776 
			 Staffordshire University 0 23 23 0 0 0 23 
			 Thames Primary Consortium 24 0 24 0 0 0 24 
			 Titan Partnership 0 18 18 0 0 0 18 
			 Trinity and All Saints College 0 158 158 462 25 487 645 
			 University College Chichester 82 104 186 392 312 704 890 
			 University College Northampton 73 0 73 378 0 378 451 
			 University College Worcester 84 182 266 378 44 422 688 
			 University of Bath 0 159 159 0 0 0 159 
			 University of Birmingham 100 277 377 0 0 0 377 
			 University of Brighton 72 247 319 359 596 955 1,274 
			 University of Bristol 0 219 219 0 0 0 219 
			 University of Cambridge 0 178 178 0 0 0 178 
			 University of Central England 76 154 230 402 27 429 659 
			 University of Derby 66 0 66 283 0 283 349 
			 University of Durham 53 259 312 363 0 363 675 
			 University of East Anglia 179 158 337 0 0 0 337 
			 University of East London 141 0 141 0 0 0 141 
			 University of Exeter 155 322 477 156 98 254 731 
			 University of Greenwich 55 83 138 342 157 499 637 
			 University of Hertfordshire 117 76 193 397 0 397 590 
			 University of Huddersfield 0 180 180 0 27 27 207 
			 University of Hull 103 150 253 154 5 159 412 
			 University of Leeds 80 432 512 0 0 0 512 
			 University of Leicester 132 189 321 0 0 0 321 
			 University of Manchester 70 228 298 0 0 0 298 
			 University of Newcastle upon Tyne 83 206 289 0 0 0 289 
			 University of North London 90 89 179 200 12 212 391 
			 University of Northumbria at Newcastle 125 62 187 257 5 262 449 
			 University of Nottingham 0 313 319 0 0 0 319 
			 University of Oxford 0 149 149 0 0 0 149 
			 University of Plymouth 70 51 121 565 0 565 686 
			 University of Portsmouth 0 97 97 0 0 0 97 
			 University of Reading 41 207 248 374 0 374 622 
			 University of Sheffield 0 158 158 0 0 0 158 
			 University of Southampton 78 190 268 0 0 0 268 
			 University of Sunderland 47 152 199 296 271 567 766 
			 University of Surrey Roehampton 238 172 410 911 0 911 1,321 
			 University of Sussex 0 140 140 0 0 0 140 
			 University of the West of England 158 214 372 513 33 546 918 
			 University of Warwick 56 211 267 462 0 462 729 
			 University of Wolverhampton 38 102 140 198 71 269 409 
			 University of York 0 125 125 0 0 0 125 
			 Urban Learning Foundation 25 0 25 0 0 0 25 
			 Wandsworth Schools' Consortium 18 0 18 0 0 0 18 
			 West Midlands Consortium 0 31 31 0 0 0 31 
			  
			 Grant total 6,961 13,544 20,505 21,010 5,052 26,062 46,567 
		
	
	(7) Includes modular trainees
	Data source:
	2000–01 TTA ITT Recruitment Survey

Trainee Teachers (Tests)

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost is of introducing the teacher trainee tests.

Stephen Timms: The cost of the introduction of the ITT skills tests up to April 2001 was £4.7 million. This included the development and delivery of the paper-based numeracy skills tests in summer 2000; the development and delivery of the computerised ITT skills tests in numeracy and literacy introduced in February 2001; and the development of the skills tests in ICT, which will be introduced in September 2001.

Trainee Teachers (Tests)

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers who completed their trainee skills tests last year and are now in their induction year in schools have (a) not passed the skills tests and (b) applied for an extension to their induction period in order to retake the tests.

Stephen Timms: The requirement to take a numeracy skills test during the induction period was only introduced for teachers awarded qualified teacher status last summer. These newly qualified teachers have not yet completed their induction periods.

GCSEs

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received on the modularisation of GCSEs.

Ivan Lewis: We have not received any representations about the modularisation of GCSEs. Modular specifications represent approximately 8 per cent. of the total of new GCSE specifications to be taught in schools from September 2001.

School Inspections

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to introduce 10-yearly inspections for successful schools.

Stephen Timms: We have no plans to amend the present arrangements in which the interval between school inspections varies between two and six years, consistent with the principle that intervention should be in inverse proportion to success.

TREASURY

Construction Industry Training Board

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce a tax through the Construction Industry Training Board; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 3 July 2001
	The Government keep all taxes under review, and changes to the tax system are considered as part of the normal Budget process.

Crime Prevention Devices (VAT)

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the fiscal impact of lifting VAT on security and crime prevention devices and equipment.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 4 July 2001
	In Budget 2000, the Government reduced the rate of VAT to 5 per cent. on the grant-funded supply and installation of window and door locks, bolts and security chains, spy holes and smoke alarms in homes of those aged over 60 who are in receipt of specified benefits. The reduced rate was targeted at these grant-funded supplies to ensure that extra help goes where it is most needed.
	VAT relief for security and crime prevention goods purchased for DIY installation would be incompatible with EU VAT law.

Economic Stability

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what forecast he has made of future economic stability; and what contingency plans he has made for changes to his economic policy in the event of a serious slowdown in world activity.

Ruth Kelly: The Government will continue to steer a course of economic stability by maintaining fiscal discipline, consistent with the fiscal rules, and by supporting the decisions of the Monetary Policy Committee in continuing to meet the inflation target. Budget 2001 (HC 279) included latest forecasts for the economy and the public finances.

VAT

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy not to increase VAT rates during this Parliament.

Paul Boateng: Decisions on individual areas of taxation are considered on an annual basis as part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's overall Budget judgment. The Government have renewed their pledge not to extend VAT to food, children's clothes, books, newspapers and public transport fares for the duration of this Parliament.

National Insurance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to compensate the National Insurance Fund for the loss of contribution income from employers resulting from the introduction of (a) the Landfill Tax, (b) the Climate Change Levy and (c) the Aggregates Levy.

Andrew Smith: None. The reductions in employers' National Insurance contributions were and are to be recycled through the proceeds of the Landfill Tax, the Climate Change Levy and the Aggregates Levy, thereby protecting UK competitiveness and employment while helping the UK to achieve its environmental objectives.

National Insurance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the National Insurance Fund balance at the end of the year 2000–01 exceeded the minimum level recommended by the Government Actuary.

Andrew Smith: The estimated balance of the National Insurance Fund at the end of 2000–01 is likely to have exceeded the minimum level recommended by the Government Actuary by around £10.6 billion.

Drug Deaths

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths were attributable to the use of (a) paracetamol, (b) dothiepin, (c) co-proxamol, (d) all antidepressants and (e) ecstasy in each of the past five years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from John Pullinger to Paul Flynn, dated 9 July 2001
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on how many deaths were attributable to the use of paracetamol, dothiepin, co-proxamol, all anti-depressants and ecstasy in each of the past five years (2376). I am replying in his absence.
	The information requested is provided in the attached table. The data has been extracted from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) database of deaths related to drug poisoning. This database contains deaths in England and Wales where the underlying cause is drug-related poisoning.
	
		Number of deaths from drug-related poisoning(8) for selected substances England and Wales, 1995–99
		
			  1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 
		
		
			 Paracetamol 526 480 562 523 473 
			 Dothiepin 235 279 262 244 219 
			 Co-proxamol 189 188 214 208 200 
			 Antidepressants 489 540 539 502 491 
			 Ecstasy 10 16 11 15 26 
		
	
	(8) Deaths are coded according to the WHO International Classification of Disease, Ninth Edition (ICD9). Deaths are regarded as resulting from drug-related poisoning if the underlying cause is classified to ICD9 codes, 292, 304, 305.2–9, E950.0–5, E980.0–5 and E962.0

Telecoms Companies

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of revenues telecoms companies in the UK paid in tax and licence fees in 1997; and what proportion they pay in the current year.

Dawn Primarolo: In 1997–98 annual licensing payments and the corporation tax liability of telecommunication companies represented 0.28 per cent. of UK central Government receipts. The corresponding figure for 1999–2000, which is the latest available on a comparable basis, but which pre-dates the auction of the third generation mobile telephone licences, was 0.23 per cent.

Child Care Tax Credit

David Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on the child care tax credit during 2000–01; how many families received it; what the average amount was per family; and what his forecasts are for each category for (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

Dawn Primarolo: It is provisionally estimated that the net extra expenditure in 2000–01 due to the child care tax credit element of Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) was about £200 million.
	The number of families in receipt of the child care tax credit within WFTC at May, August and November 2000, and the average extra weekly amounts received per family at those dates, are shown in Table 1.3 of the November 2000 WFTC Quarterly Enquiry, a copy of which is in the Library. Figures for February 2001 are due to be published on 10 July.
	Projected figures for other years are not available.

Corporate Bribes

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department has taken to ensure that British companies spending money on corrupt practices overseas are not able to claim such expenditure as legitimate business expenses for tax purposes.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are committed to their responsibilities under the OECD Convention of the Bribery of Foreign Officials in International Business transactions. Section 577A of the Income and Corporation Taxes Acts 1988 denies tax relief for any payment, the making of which constitutes the commission of a criminal offence. This effectively denies relief for any bribery which is contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Acts.

Transparency International Corruption Index

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the change in ranking of the UK in the Transparency International Corruption Index; and if he will (a) make a statement on his plans to tackle money laundering and (b) introduce legislation to make bribery of foreign officials a crime.

Bob Ainsworth: I have been asked to reply.
	Although the United Kingdom has shifted from 10th to 13th out of 91 countries in the Transparency International Corruption Index, it remains better placed than most other countries, including all but one of its G8 partners.
	Legislation to amend the law on money laundering and corruption was announced in the Queen's Speech on 20 June 2001. The legislation on corruption will cover the bribery of foreign officials.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Public Opinion Research

Mark Oaten: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much revenue has been raised by projects undertaken by the People's Panel for clients other than his own Department for each financial year for which the figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The People's Panel is not intended to raise revenue for the Government. For clients other than the Cabinet Office, the costs of research undertaken using the People's Panel were none in 1998–99; £126,150 in 1999–2000; and £187,515 in 2000–01. These costs are essentially composed of fees to MORI, which conducts research through the Panel on behalf of the Government.

Public Opinion Research

Mark Oaten: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by what process he ensures that other Departments follow Cabinet Office guidelines on publication of research into public opinion and attitudes; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: Guidance on Government Research into Public Attitudes and Opinion was published in May 2000 and is available on the Cabinet Office website at http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/central/2000/guidance–on–government–research–attitudes.htm. This guidance was developed following extensive consultation with Departments, reflects existing best practice and reminds Departments that public expenditure must not be used for party political purposes. Departments are encouraged in the guidance to pass it to others carrying out research of this sort such as non-departmental public bodies and to publish the results of research, for example, by placing them in the House of Commons Library and making them publicly available on request and on the internet. Results must be made publicly available unless they are exempt under the terms of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information or, when the Freedom of Information Act 2000 comes into force, they are covered by an exemption in the Act.

Departmental Responsibility (Regions)

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the recent division of regional responsibilities between different Departments.

Tony Blair: I am replying to this question as it relates to ministerial responsibilities.
	My right hon. friend the Deputy Prime Minister is leading the preparation of a White Paper on elected regional government in England, working in close liaison with the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and in co-operation with other Cabinet colleagues. The Deputy Prime Minister is also responsible for the Regional Co-ordination Unit and has overall responsibility for the Government Office network.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions is responsible for regional policy as a whole and for implementation of the proposals to be included in the White paper.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is responsible for the Regional Development Agencies.

Homelessness

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment his Department has made of the scale of rough sleeping and homelessness among older people; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: I have been asked to reply.
	An analysis of statistical returns provided to the Housing Services Agency over the past six months indicates that around 20 per cent. of rough sleepers are over 50 years old.
	Across the country older rough sleepers are able to access the majority of services funded by the Rough Sleepers Unit.
	In central London specific contact and assessment team workers provide support to vulnerable older rough sleepers. The unit has also funded "Night Centres" to enable older rough sleepers who have been out on the streets for a number of years to accept gradually help to come inside permanently. "Night Centres" have opened in London, Bristol and Manchester over the last year.
	There are a number of hostels specifically for older residents including St. Mungo's, Harrow Road and Bondway, Robertson Street. However, all hostels, day centres and emergency shelters that do not specifically cater for younger rough sleepers will work with a broad range of clients.
	Under homelessness legislation, older people are also included in the groups that are treated as being in priority need of housing.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the average cost of obtaining an antisocial behaviour order is;
	(2)  what the cost of unsuccessful antisocial behaviour order applications has been to date for each (a) police force and (b) local authority area in England and Wales.

John Denham: The average cost of an antisocial behaviour order, based on a recent survey of 20 cases, was £5,480. Less than one in 20 applications has been refused so far. Figures for the cost of the eight applications which have been refused (listed in the table) are not available centrally.
	
		Antisocial behaviour orders applied for and made between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2001 by police force area within England and Wales
		
			   Number made from:  
			 Police force area Number of applications to 31 March 2001(9),(10) 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000(9) 1 June 2000 to 31 March 2001(10) Total 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 13 9 4 13 
			 Bedfordshire — — — — 
			 Cambridgeshire 5 5 — 5 
			 Cheshire — — — — 
			 Cleveland 5 1 3 4 
			 Cumbria 1 1 — 1 
			 Derbyshire 11 3 8 11 
			 Devon and Cornwall 3 1 2 3 
			 Dorset 2 — 2 2 
			 Durham 6 — 6 6 
			 Essex — — — — 
			 Gloucestershire 1 — 1 1 
			 Greater Manchester 13 10 3 13 
			 Hampshire 2 1 — 1 
			 Hertfordshire 5 1 4 5 
			 Humberside 10 — 10 10 
			 Kent 10 — 10 10 
			 Lancashire 12 5 7 12 
			 Leicestershire 1 1 — 1 
			 Lincolnshire — — — — 
			 Merseyside 12 8 — 8 
			 Metropolitan police service(11) 23 9 12 21 
			 Norfolk 10 6 4 10 
			 Northamptonshire — — — — 
			 Northumbria 12 8 4 12 
			 North Yorkshire 4 4 — 4 
			 Nottinghamshire 5 1 4 5 
			 South Yorkshire 4 3 1 4 
			 Staffordshire 2 — 2 2 
			 Suffolk 3 3 — 3 
			 Surrey 1 — 1 1 
			 Sussex 4 3 1 4 
			 Thames Valley 1 1 — 1 
			 Warwickshire 1 — 1 1 
			 West Mercia 12 5 7 12 
			 West Midlands 18 11 7 18 
			 West Yorkshire 9 4 5 9 
			 Wiltshire — — — — 
			  
			 England 221 104 109 213 
			  
			 Dyfed-Powys — — — — 
			 Gwent — — — — 
			 North Wales 1 — 1 1 
			 South Wales 1 — 1 1 
			  
			 Wales 2 — 2 2 
			  
			 England and Wales 223 104 111 215 
		
	
	(9) Based on data collected from ACPO and GLA trawls covering period 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000
	(10) Data collected centrally from magistrates courts committees as from 1 June 2000 onwards
	(11) Includes City of London

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent report from the Metropolitan Police Public Order Unit about the difficulties of obtaining antisocial behaviour orders; and what response he has made.

John Denham: We have noted the references in the report to some of the problems faced in considering and applying for Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). It is to be expected that a new provision will take some time to bed down. We are, nevertheless, conducting a review of these orders to evaluate their effectiveness and to identify best practice. The review should be completed later this year.
	In the meantime we note from the report that 32 antisocial behaviour orders have been made in the Metropolitan police area between April 1999 and June this year and the very positive message about the benefits of the police working in partnership with local authorities and other agencies to tackle antisocial behaviour. Paragraph 12 of the report states:
	"One of the major achievements of the work on ASBOs has been the obligation and need to work in partnership. [. . .] We are aware of no instances of Metropolitan police service officers failing to co-operate with local authority partners in applying for an ASBO. Quite the contrary, there is considerable evidence of excellent partnership working. Tentative early partnerships are maturing into collaborations with trust and understanding."

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) antisocial behaviour orders and (b) antisocial behaviour contracts have been issued.

John Denham: As at 31 March 2001 there have been 215 antisocial behaviours orders (ASBOs) issued within England and Wales.
	An acceptable behaviour contract (ABC) is a voluntary written agreement between a person, whose behaviour is causing a problem, and the police or local authority. It will normally contain a list of antisocial actions which the person undertakes not to do and may also specify certain areas which he or she undertakes not to enter. The ABC is not enforceable in itself but a breach could lead to an ASBO.
	We have no plans at present to ask local partnerships to collect statistics on these.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been successfully applied for in each of the local authorities in Greater Manchester.

John Denham: We understand that at least 10 antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) were issued in Greater Manchester between 1 April 1999 and 31 May 2000. From 1 June 2000 the number of such orders applied for and issued have been collected centrally. Between 1 June 2000 and 31 March 2001, three ASBOs were applied for and granted in Greater Manchester, two were issued within the North and West Greater Manchester Magistrates Courts Committee (MCC) area and one within the Trafford MCC. Figures by local authority area for the numbers of orders applied for are not held centrally.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evaluation has been made of the effectiveness and ease of implementation of antisocial behaviour (a) contracts and (b) orders; and what advice he is giving to local councils and the police on the merits and demerits of each.

John Denham: As my predecessor confirmed in a written answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 5 February 2001, Official Report, column 424W, we are also researching the operation and effectiveness of the antisocial behaviour order. We will also ensure the effectiveness of the acceptable behaviour scheme in Islington.
	Guidance on antisocial behaviour orders was issued to the police and local authorities in March 1999 and June 2000. The previous Home Secretary made speeches and published a number of articles on the benefits of antisocial behaviour orders. Some of these also mentioned acceptable behaviour contracts. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I will do the same as the opportunity arises.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often antisocial behaviour orders have been used; and what assessment has been made of their effectiveness.

John Denham: Based on figures for up to 31 March this year, 215 antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in England and Wales since 1 April 1999. The evidence so far shows that they have been used successfully in a variety of circumstances and to good effect.
	We are currently conducting a comprehensive review of these orders to evaluate their effectiveness in dealing with antisocial behaviour and to identify best practice. We expect this review to be completed later this year and we will consider the report carefully.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued since the relevant provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into effect in each local authority area, broken down by (a) reason for the order, (b) average age of the subject of the order and (c) source of the order; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: Available information given in the table shows the number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOS) made by age group of subject and police force area. Information on local authority area, the reasons for the orders and the source of the orders is not collected centrally.
	The evidence so far shows that they (ASBOs) have been used successfully in a variety of circumstances and to good effect.
	We are currently conducting a comprehensive review of these orders to evaluate their effectiveness in dealing with antisocial behaviour and to identify best practice. We expect this review to be completed later this year and we will consider the report carefully.
	
		Antisocial behaviour orders made between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2001 by age group and police force area within England and Wales
		
			   Number made from 1 June 2000 to 31 March 2001(13) 
			 Police force area Number made from 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000(12) Age 10–17 Age 18+ Age unknown Total Total made from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2001 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 9 2 2 — 4 13 
			 Bedfordshire — — — — — — 
			 Cambridgeshire 5 — — — — 5 
			 Cheshire — — — — — — 
			 Cleveland 1 3 — — 3 4 
			 Cumbria 1 — — — — 1 
			 Derbyshire 3 1 7 — 8 11 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1 1 1 — 2 3 
			 Dorset — 2 — — 2 2 
			 Durham — 3 2 1 6 6 
			 Essex — — — — — — 
			 Gloucestershire — 1 — — 1 1 
			 Greater Manchester 10 1 2 — 3 13 
			 Hampshire 1 — — — — 1 
			 Hertfordshire 1 — 4 — 4 5 
			 Humberside — 2 7 1 10 10 
			 Kent — 9 1 — 10 10 
			 Lancashire 5 2 5 — 7 12 
			 Leicestershire 1 — — — — 1 
			 Lincolnshire — — — — — — 
			 Merseyside 8 — — — — 8 
			 Metropolitan police service(14) 9 4 7 1 12 21 
			 Norfolk 6 3 1 — 4 10 
			 Northamptonshire — — — — — — 
			 Northumbria 8 2 2 — 4 12 
			 North Yorkshire 4 — — — — 4 
			 Nottinghamshire 1 3 1 — 4 5 
			 South Yorkshire 3 — 1 — 1 4 
			 Staffordshire — — 2 — 2 2 
			 Suffolk 3 — — — — 3 
			 Surrey — — 1 — 1 1 
			 Sussex 3 1 — — 1 4 
			 Thames Valley 1 — — — — 1 
			 Warwickshire — — 1 — 1 1 
			 West Mercia 5 2 5 — 7 12 
			 West Midlands 11 6 1 — 7 18 
			 West Yorkshire 4 4 1 — 5 9 
			 Wiltshire — — — — — — 
			  
			 England 104 52 54 3 109 213 
			
			 Dyfed-Powys — — — — — — 
			 Gwent — — — — — — 
			 North Wales — 1 — — 1 1 
			 South Wales — — 1 — 1 1 
			  
			 Wales — 1 1 — 2 2 
			
			 England and Wales 104 53 55 3 111 215 
		
	
	(12) Based on data collected from ACPO and GLA trawls covering period 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000. Information on the age of recipients not available
	(13) Data collected centrally from magistrates courts committees as from 1 June 2000 onwards
	(14) Includes City of London

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Ann Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in respect of (a) juveniles and (b) adults; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: A total of 104 antisocial behaviour orders were issued in England and Wales between 1 April 1999 and 31 May 2000. A breakdown by age for the orders issued in this period is not held centrally. However data collected centrally from June 2000 to 31 March 2001 show a further 111 antisocial behaviour orders being made of which 53 were given to persons aged 10 to 17 years, 55 to persons aged 18 and over and three where the age is unknown.

Asylum Seekers

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he is making into the investigation concerning the (a) Landmark and (b) Inn on the Park in Liverpool in respect of asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The investigation by National Asylum Support Service into the Landmark and the Inn on the Park is complex. The investigation is continuing.

Asylum Seekers

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers, broken down by nationality, are being held in prison.

Angela Eagle: The most recent information relates to persons detained under Immigration Act powers as at 31 May 2001. At that date 1,144 persons were detained in Prison Service establishments. This includes 428 persons detained in the dedicated detention facilities run by the Prison Service at Haslar, Rochester and Lindholme.
	It is not possible to say how many of these had claimed asylum or identify their nationality except by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost.

Asylum Seekers

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers held in prisons have applied for bail; and how many such bail applications have been successful.

Angela Eagle: The requested information is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Asylum Seekers

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been held in prison since the policy was introduced; how many asylum seekers have been deported from prison; how many asylum seekers have put forward appeals since being put in prison; and how many of those appeals have been successful.

Angela Eagle: The requested information is not available and could be obtained only by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost.

Asylum Seekers

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the average time taken between the receipt of (a) an asylum appeal and (b) an immigration appeal to the Independent Appellate Authority and an appeal decision, for the most recent period for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 June 2001
	I am assuming the hon. Member is referring to the average time from receipt in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) to determination.
	The average time taken by the Immigration Appellate Authority (for both the adjudicator and the tribunal tier), from receipt to determination in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 May 2001, is 22.3 weeks for an asylum appeal and 22.1 weeks for an immigration appeal.

Asylum Seekers

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of occasions on which action has been taken against NASS-contracted landlords in respect of the provision of sub-standard accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 June 2001
	The information is not available in the format requested.
	As a result of its inspection programme National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has required its accommodation providers to remove approximately 350 bedspaces from use due to failure to meet the requirements of the NASS contract specification. In addition providers have voluntarily removed approximately 1,000 bedspaces. In addition there have been a number of properties where remedial work has been required.

James Ashley

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Police Complaints Authority to produce its report into the fatal shooting of James Ashley; and to whom the report will be made available.

John Denham: The Police Complaints Authority do not normally produce reports of investigations. Instead they provide a statement of satisfaction about the conduct of an investigation. The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) issued statements of satisfaction on the investigations into this incident which were made available to the Chief Constable and the Police Authority.

Oldham

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the principal recommendations were of the 1993 report of the Commission for Racial Equality on the housing policies and practice pursued by Oldham council; and what provisions were made for the monitoring of the five-year plan agreed between Oldham council and the CRE.

Angela Eagle: The Commission for Racial Equality entered into a three-year agreement with Oldham council, in which the council undertook to implement the following recommendations: to make sure that the council's policies, procedures and practices (written and unwritten) used to assess housing applications and for allocating properties were appropriate for meeting housing need, and were consistently applied; to monitor all offers and allocations of housing, classified by ethnic origin of applicant, the estate and quality of property; and to keep the Commission for Racial equality fully informed.
	The council also undertook to develop and carry out a training programme for councillors and housing department staff on the Race Relations Act 1976.
	Oldham metropolitan borough council submitted six monthly progress reports to the Commission for Racial Equality. The Commission received the final ethnic monitoring report, required as part of the agreement, in December 1996 and was content.

Avon and Somerset Police

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in the Avon and Somerset police force for each reporting period since 1980; what forecasts he has made for the years 2001 to 2004; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 4 July 2001
	Information on police numbers for each year since March 1980 is in the table.
	Avon and Somerset Constabulary had 2,960 officers on 31 March 2001, 26 more than on 31 March 2000.
	The Chief Constable informs me that on the basis of its current projections up to March 2003, the force expects to have 3,098 officers by the end of March 2002 and 3,175 by March 2003. About 60 per cent. of the total increase will be a result of the force's Crime Fighting Fund allocation of resources for 51 new recruits for 2001–02 and 77 for 2002–03. The force has made no projections as yet for 2003–04.
	
		Avon and Somerset Constabulary—police numbers since 1980
		
			 Year(15) Police numbers 
		
		
			 1980 2,892 
			 1981 2,953 
			 1982 3,011 
			 1983 2,970 
			 1984 2,997 
			 1985 2,982 
			 1986 2,958 
			 1987 3,009 
			 1988 3,013 
			 1989 3,014 
			 1990 3,094 
			 1991 3,092 
			 1992 3,081 
			 1993 3,068 
			 1994 3,033 
			 1995 3,000 
			 1996 2,981 
			 1997 2,989 
			 1998 2,976 
			 1999 2,999 
			 2000 2,934 
			 2001 2,960 
		
	
	(15) As at 31 March

Drunkenness

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will list in descending order the greatest percentage change in the number of offences of drunkenness from 1990 to 1999 in each police authority in England and Wales;
	(2)  how many prosecutions for drunkenness there were per thousand head of population in each police authority in the last year in which figures are available.

John Denham: holding answer 3 July 2001
	Information on the number of offenders prosecuted in 1999 for offences of drunkenness per thousand head of population for each police force authority is given in table 1. Information showing, in descending order, the percentage change in the number of offenders prosecuted in 1999 compared with 1990 for offences of drunkenness in each police force authority is given in table 2. It is not possible to say what proportion of those prosecuted live in the area. Prosecutions of people from outside the area are likely to be much higher in some areas than others. This is most obvious for the City of London which has a low resident population and large numbers of visitors.
	
		Number of prosecutions for drunkenness per thousand head of population, by police force authority, England and Wales 1999
		
			 Police force area Prosecutions 
		
		
			 City of London 11.73 
			 Northumbria 2.90 
			 Cumbria 1.92 
			 Merseyside 1.80 
			 West Yorkshire 1.75 
			 North Wales 1.70 
			 Lancashire 1.65 
			 Cleveland 1.52 
			 South Wales 1.37 
			 Lincolnshire 1.12 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 1.08 
			 South Yorkshire 1.06 
			 Durham 1.00 
			 Gwent 0.92 
			 Cheshire 0.82 
			 North Yorkshire 0.77 
			 Devon and Cornwall 0.76 
			 Thames Valley 0.76 
			 Kent 0.76 
			 Bedfordshire 0.68 
			 Dyfed-Powys 0.68 
			 Warwickshire 0.68 
			 West Mercia 0.65 
			 Wiltshire 0.64 
			 Nottinghamshire 0.64 
			 Hertfordshire 0.61 
			 Dorset 0.60 
			 Surrey 0.57 
			 Greater Manchester 0.56 
			 Essex 0.55 
			 Suffolk 0.55 
			 Gloucestershire 0.44 
			 Sussex 0.40 
			 Avon and Somerset 0.37 
			 Humberside 0.36 
			 Derbyshire 0.33 
			 Cambridgeshire 0.33 
			 Staffordshire 0.31 
			 Norfolk 0.28 
			 Metropolitan Police District 0.28 
			 West Midlands 0.27 
			 Leicestershire 0.06 
			 Northamptonshire 0.05 
		
	
	
		Percentage change in the number of prosecutions for drunkenness between 1990 and 1999 listed in descending order by police force area
		
			 Police force area Percentage change 
		
		
			 Cambridgeshire 390.48 
			 Lincolnshire 340.00 
			 Warwickshire 322.22 
			 Essex 262.38 
			 Gloucestershire 152.94 
			 Surrey 151.61 
			 Kent 144.94 
			 Norfolk 122.47 
			 Bedfordshire 89.60 
			 Suffolk 86.55 
			 Hertfordshire 67.64 
			 Hampshire 52.64 
			 Derbyshire 40.59 
			 Devon and Cornwall 40.13 
			 Lancashire 38.47 
			 North Wales 33.88 
			 Cumbria 31.39 
			 Durham 25.06 
			 Wiltshire 21.15 
			 North Yorkshire 18.27 
			 Leicestershire 15.38 
			 Sussex 11.92 
			 Cheshire 9.10 
			 Thames Valley 7.90 
			 Nottinghamshire 6.64 
			 West Yorkshire 6.12 
			 West Mercia 5.24 
			 Dyfed-Powys -2.68 
			 Northumbria -3.54 
			 Dorset -4.88 
			 Avon and Somerset -6.35 
			 Cleveland -12.31 
			 South Wales -13.43 
			 Humberside -13.48 
			 Northamptonshire -38.30 
			 Merseyside -47.59 
			 Gwent -55.59 
			 Greater Manchester -56.13 
			 London, City of -59.56 
			 South Yorkshire -62.04 
			 Staffordshire -67.52 
			 West Midlands -69.58 
			 Metropolitan Police -73.29

Rural Police Grant

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recruits to the North Yorkshire police will be made possible by the Rural Police Grant; how long the Rural Police Grant will be in force; and how police salaries will be financed once the Rural Police Grant expires.

John Denham: Police Authorities and Chief Constables may use their rural policing fund allocations as they judge best to improve policing in sparsely populated areas. The Chief Constable of North Yorkshire plans to recruit 60 officers.
	£15 million was made available to forces for rural policing in 2000–01. The allocation will be £30 million this year and in each of the next two years. Provision thereafter is one of the matters which will be considered during the next spending review.

Mentor Financial Consultants

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Northumberland on the progress of the investigation into Mentor Financial Consultants; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: I am informed by the Chief Constable that the investigation by Northumbria Police into Mentor Financial Consultants is a continuing criminal investigation. It would not be right to disclose details of the investigation.

Young Offenders

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles aged 15 and 16 years have been remanded (a) in adult prisons and (b) in total in each of the last 10 years; and what has been the average period of their detention.

Beverley Hughes: Data are available only for the years shown in the tables. Table 1 shows provisional information on how many juveniles there were remanded in custody on 30 June from 1995 to 1999 inclusive.
	
		Table 1
		
			 Year Total Aged 15 Aged 16 
		
		
			 1995 42 11 31 
			 1996 36 9 27 
			 1997 6 2 4 
			 1998 1 — 1 
			 1999 2 1 1 
			 2000 0 0 0 
			 2001(16) 0 0 0 
		
	
	(16) Data for 31 May
	Table 2 shows provisional information on how many juveniles in total have been remanded in prison service custody on 30 June in each of those years.
	
		Table 2
		
			 Year Total Aged 15 Aged 16 
		
		
			 1995 209 54 155 
			 1996 254 71 183 
			 1997 264 75 189 
			 1998 248 79 169 
			 1999 184 43 141 
			 2000 161 50 111 
			 2001(17) 148 39 109 
		
	
	(17) Data for 31 May
	A further 66 15 and 16-year-olds were being held on remand in Local Authority Secure Units at the end of June 2000. At the end of June 2001 this figure had fallen to 50.
	Table 3 shows provisional information on the average length of detention in days that juvenile offenders have spent remanded in custody in prison for the last two years.
	
		Table 3
		
			  Year Average days spent remanded in custody 
		
		
			 1999 79 
			 2000 65

Young Offenders

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many secure unit places for juvenile offenders there are in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Currently there are 128 places in Secure Training Centres and 2,706 in juvenile Young Offender Institutions, and 268 juvenile offenders are placed in Local Authority Secure Units. The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales commissions and purchases places. Over the next four years it plans to provide an additional 400 independent sector Secure Training Centre (STC) places to replace Prison Service accommodation.

Young Offenders

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what private sector criminal justice initiatives his Department supports for (a) juvenile offenders and (b) young offenders; and if he will make a statement

Beverley Hughes: We support the appropriate use of private sector skills and expertise in delivering the public sector youth justice objectives. The private sector main contributions are the management of the three Secure Training Centres, and the electronic monitoring of offenders (including juveniles) sentenced to curfew orders with an electronic monitoring requirement.
	The voluntary sector also play an important role, providing services and helping with the delivery of a wide range of programmes for juveniles and young offenders.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on preparations for Holocaust Memorial Day 2002.

Angela Eagle: A Home Office-led Strategic Group has been developing guidance and plans for next year's commemoration, building on the successful foundations of the first United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial Day last January. The Strategic Group includes representatives from a wide range of Government Departments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
	A working group chaired by the Home Office is taking forward the planning and delivery of the 2002 national event, liaising with the BBC who produced and televised the first national ceremony last January.
	Updated guidance for local authorities and a wide range of voluntary and community groups on ways they can mark the day is being produced by a working group chaired by the Holocaust Adviser to the Local Government Association and involving a number of representatives of NGOs with experience and expertise in Holocaust remembrance and wider diversity issues.
	The Holocaust education resource pack launched last November and intended for use by schools and others is currently being reviewed by a Department for Education and Skills led working group, consisting of NGOs with experience and expertise in Holocaust education and research. Around 30,000 of these well received packs have already been issued to about 23,000 schools.
	The Strategic Group is devising a communication strategy for the promotion and delivery of the 2002 commemoration. It is envisaged that there will be a single launch date in September for all Holocaust Memorial Day promotional material. Details of relevant activities and supporting guidance will be placed onto the dedicated website www.holocaustmemorialday.gov.uk.
	I would like to encourage all hon. Members to support and encourage activities in their constituencies to mark the 2nd United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial Day. The day is relevant to all of us. Its focus is on learning the lessons of the Holocaust and other more recent atrocities that raise similar issues.
	A key aim of the day is to convey the commemoration's relevance to contemporary issues of racism and victimisation and promote a democratic and tolerant society that respects and celebrates diversity and is free of the evils of prejudice. This will be reflected in all of the related guidance and plans to mark Holocaust Memorial Day next January.

Oakington Reception Centre

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of new asylum seekers, by nationality, were sent to Oakington Reception Centre in the last three months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 5 July 2001
	The information requested is as follows:
	
		Proportions of applications for asylum in the UK sent to Oakington Reception centre, March-May 2001, by nationality(18),(19),(20)
		
			 Nationality Total applications Sent to Oakington Proportion of applicants sent to Oakington (percentage) 
		
		
			 Albania 260 110 43 
			 Bangladesh 105 45 43 
			 Bolivia 10 5 56 
			 Brazil 5 5 43 
			 Cameroon 65 30 48 
			 China 505 325 65 
			 Cote D'Ivoire 75 5 4 
			 Czech Republic 345 235 68 
			 Estonia 10 5 33 
			 Ghana 35 25 68 
			 Hungary 5 * 67 
			 India 450 205 45 
			 Iraq 1,060 210 20 
			 Kenya 80 30 37 
			 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 905 105 12 
			 Latvia 20 15 62 
			 Lithuania 65 35 54 
			 Nigeria 155 80 53 
			 Pakistan 580 155 26 
			 Poland 190 100 53 
			 Romania 480 90 18 
			 Slovakia 20 15 94 
			 Tanzania 15 5 35 
			 Uganda 110 50 45 
			 Ukraine 120 50 44 
			 Zimbabwe 380 250 66 
			  
			 Total 6,050 2,185 36 
		
	
	(18) All data except percentages have been rounded, where * is 1 or 2. Percentages may not reflect rounded data exactly, but are correct
	(19) Data on applicants sent to Oakington do not necessarily relate exactly to total applications received within the period.
	(20) All data exclude dependants.

Oakington Reception Centre

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of asylum seekers sent to Oakington Reception Centre have had their case dismissed, broken down by nationality; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 5 July 2001
	Of those applicants whose appeal has been decided, the proportion dismissed, up to 22 June, is as follows.
	
		
			 Country Percentage of dismissed appeals 
		
		
			 Albania 75 
			 Bangladesh 93 
			 Cameroon 50 
			 China 93 
			 Cote d'Ivoire 75 
			 Czech Republic 75 
			 Estonia 85 
			 Ghana 97 
			 India 84 
			 Iraq 83 
			 Kenya 100 
			 Kosovo 78 
			 Lithuania 69 
			 Latvia 82 
			 Nigeria 83 
			 Pakistan 80 
			 Poland 68 
			 Romania 78 
			 Slovakia 81 
			 Tanzania 75 
			 Uganda 64 
			 Ukraine 30 
			 Yugoslavia 67 
			 Zimbabwe 78 
			  
			 Total 80

Immigration Legislation

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to reform immigration legislation.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 5 July 2001
	The Government are committed to having immigration rules which are clear, firm and fair. We have no immediate plans for legislation but will keep the possible need for further change under review. We want to ensure that those who come and work here continue to make a major contribution to our economic and social life. We have transferred responsibility for the work permit system to the Home Office and will be looking further at the legal entry routes for people seeking to work in Britain. Officials are currently reviewing the Immigration Rules with the aim of producing a consolidated version which incorporates all changes made since HC395, the last main Statement of Changes. These revised Rules are likely to include a number of additions and amendments.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate (Country Assessments)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what updates to Immigration and Nationality Directorate country assessments have been made in the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 5 July 2001
	Updates to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's (IND) country assessments were made by IND's Country Information and Policy Unit in April 2001. These have been placed on the Home Office website. Country assessments are revised every six months. An assessment on Zimbabwe has been included on the website for the first time, as asylum applications from Zimbabwe have increased significantly during the past year.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate (Country Assessments)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Immigration and Nationality Directorate has published a country assessment of Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 5 July 2001
	A country assessment for Zimbabwe was issued in April 2001 and has been published with other country assessments for the top 35 asylum producing countries issued in April 2001. The country assessments may be accessed on the Home Office website.

Neighbourhood Watch

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost is of supporting Neighbourhood Watch schemes in (a) Lancashire and (b) the South Ribble constituency.

John Denham: In addition to the commitment of large numbers of volunteers, Neighbourhood Watch in Lancashire is actively supported by 11 police crime prevention and community safety officers. Because these officers do not devote all their time to neighbourhood watch it is not possible to estimate the cost of supporting neighbourhood watch schemes in Lancashire.

Neighbourhood Watch

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions exist on making the name and address of Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators available to hon. Members.

John Denham: The details of Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators are held by police. The police may only disclose information to the extent that they have the common-law or statutory power to do so and do not thereby breach any other relevant law, such as the common law duty of confidence. Any disclosures must also then comply with the good practice laid down in the Data Protection Act 1998, except to the extent that any relevant exemption applies.

Neighbourhood Watch

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Neighbourhood Watch schemes exist in (a) Lancashire and (b) the South Ribble constituency.

John Denham: I understand that there are 1,876 Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Lancashire, of which 180 are in the South Ribble constituency.

Police Numbers (Essex)

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average number of police officers per 10,000 population was in (a) England and (b) Essex on (i) 1 May 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available.

John Denham: The information requested is:
	
		
			  31 March 1997(21) 31 March 2001 
		
		
			 Essex police   
			 Number of police officers per 10,000 population 19.5 17.8 
			
			 England   
			 Number of police officers per 10,000 population 24.1 23.4 
		
	
	(21) Police numbers are collected twice a year (March and September) therefore March figures have been used for 1997.
	The Crime Fighting Fund is improving the position in Essex. The force increased its number by 81 between March 2000 and March 2001 to 2,887 and should have more officers by March 2002 than the 2,961 it had in March 1997.

Police Numbers (Essex)

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) funded and (b) actual police officers there were in the Essex constabulary on (i) 1 May 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available.

John Denham: The information requested is set out in the table. The funded police numbers have been provided by the chief constable of the Essex police. With our approval Essex police deferred their Crime Fighting Fund allocation of 70 recruits for 2000–01 to 2001–02. The Crime Fighting Fund will pay for up to 132 recruits in 2001–02 and 65 in 2002–03.
	
		Essex police
		
			 Year Number of funded police posts(22) Actual number of police officers(22) 
		
		
			 31 March 1997 2,944 2,961 
			 31 March 2001 2,955 2,887 
		
	
	(22) Full-time equivalent
	Note:
	The funded officer posts reflect officers funded from the budget approved by the Police Authority.

Doctors (Heroin Prescriptions)

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions his Department has given to police forces in the past four years concerning approaches to doctors licensed to prescribe heroin.

John Denham: None.

Drug Use

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the percentage of the population who have used (a) cannabis, (b) cocaine, (c) amphetamines, (d) ecstasy and (e) heroin broken down by (i) lifetime use, (ii) last year use and (iii) last month use.

Bob Ainsworth: The British Crime Survey provides data on the levels of self-reported drug use among a representative sample of the general population in England and Wales. The data in the table have been extracted from the 1998 report which is available on the Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/ pdfs/hors197.pdf
	
		Percentages of respondents reporting use of cannabis, cocaine amphetamine, ecstasy, and heroin, 16 to 59-year-olds in England and Wales
		
			  Lifetime Last year Last month 
		
		
			 Cannabis 25 9 5 
			 Cocaine 3 1 (23)— 
			 Amphetamine 10 3 1 
			 Ecstasy 4 1 (23)— 
			 Heroin 1 (23)— (23)— 
		
	
	(23) Less than 0.5 per cent.
	Source:
	Drug Misuse Declared in 1998: results from the British Crime Survey, Home Office Research Study 197

Police

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to abolish the criteria of fitness for operational duty as a condition of serving in the police force.

John Denham: There are no plans to abolish the criteria of fitness for operational duty for applicants to the police service. Police officers need to be physically fit for the range of duties they are expected to perform.

Police

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will implement Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary's recommendation to combine the recruitment and retention functions of the Metropolitan police force.

John Denham: In his report in October 2000, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary provided a suggested action checklist which identified a need for a single, integrated and cohesive recruitment strategy incorporating short, medium and long-term targets for the recruitment and retention of staff.
	The Metropolitan police service (MPS) inform me that a cohesive recruitment and retention plan is being constructed and many elements are already in place.
	Building on the success of the Recruitment Task Force, a new Retention Task Force commenced work on 2 July.
	As well as aiding the development of a retention strategy the task force will identify and progress more immediate actions to improve retention.
	Targets covering recruitment and retention have been set in conjunction with the Metropolitan police authority (MPA). The MPS works closely with the MPA on all recruitment and retention issues, and a joint retention workshop is to be held on 26 July.

Police

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to promote redeployment into civilian roles within the police force, for those no longer fit for operational duty.

John Denham: I will be considering a range of issues relating to police pension arrangements—including the provisions applying to officers no longer fit for the full range of operational duties—in the coming months.

Police

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people retired from the police force in 2000 (a) in total, (b) on medical grounds and (c) on medical grounds with an injury award.

John Denham: Statistics collected by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for 1999–2000 show a total of 3,964 retirements from the police service in England and Wales 1 . Of those retirements 1,232 (31 per cent.) were on medical grounds. Statistics showing the number of retirements on medical grounds attracting an injury award are not available.
	1 Statistics on the number of retirements from the police service are also collected by the Research, Development and Statistics Directorate of the Home Office for the National Statistics series. However the RDSD statistics do not include a breakdown between ordinary and medical retirements. The RDSD and HMIC figures are not strictly comparable as they come from different sources. In 1999–2000 the RDSD figure for total retirements was 3,929.

Police

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to tighten the criteria for injury awards for those taking early retirement from the police force on medical grounds.

John Denham: I will be considering a range of issues relating to police pension arrangements in the coming months.

Police

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces apply the criterion that recruits may not have more than a three millimetre gap between their front teeth; and what plans he has to change this.

John Denham: The Home Office issues no specific guidance on periodontal conditions. Home Office medical guidelines include a section that recommends forces should carefully consider candidates where there is "evidence of poor dental hygiene". The current guidelines are being reviewed as part of a project to develop national job-related standards for police recruitment.
	We do not know whether any forces apply such a criterion. However, it is known that the Metropolitan Police Service formerly applied this criterion but abolished it in January 2001.

Police

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the practice of senior policemen being suspended on full pay pending investigation for misdemeanour.

John Denham: The Secretary of State has no plans to review the arrangements. They are set out in the Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999 for officers up to Superintendent and in the Police (Conduct) (Senior Officers) Regulations 1999 for Assistant Chief Constables and upwards.
	The decision to suspend an officer rests with the Chief Constable for officers up to Superintendent and with the Policy Authority for Assistant Chief Constables and above and the Secretary of State accepts that they are best placed to decide when it is appropriate to suspend an officer.

Quantum Project

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent so far on the Quantum project; and what benefits it has produced in terms of providing (a) updated technology, (b) increased efficiency and (c) better quality of information; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The cost of the Quantum project to July 1998 (when it was suspended) was £8.3 million. The procurement recommenced in February 1999 and led to award of contract to Electronic Data Systems (EDS) 12 months later. Initially, EDS took responsibility for all existing Prison Service information technology and telecommunications services. From the recommendations to date, some £44 million has been spent by the Prison Service on Quantum. This includes payments to EDS for the provision of information technology and telecommunications services.
	Under the terms of the Quantum agreement, EDS is responsible for updating the information technology and telecommunications infrastructure technology and telecommunications infrastructure of the Prison Service. This involves, among other things, installation of standard office computer software and equipment. The new infrastructure will be the technological platform for future business change projects and for delivering the benefits associated with improving efficiency and the quality of information.

Cricket Match Safety

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will introduce legislation to make it an offence for members of the crowd at (a) international cricket matches and (b) other sporting events to enter the field of play without good reason while the match is in progress; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what action the Government are taking to improve public safety at international cricket matches; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will introduce legislation to make it an offence for members of the crowd at (a) international cricket matches and (b) other major sporting events to set off fireworks; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 25 June 2001
	The Minister of Sport and I met representatives of the English Cricket Board (ECB) on 27 June to discuss the incidents at Headingly, Trent Bridge and Lords. A joint review group, comprising representatives of the ECB, Home Office, Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Association of Chief Police Officers, was asked to examine all aspects of crowd management, existing legislation and ground regulations to identify how the cricketing authorities could minimise the potential for further incidents.

Rape

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recourse is available to men who have been (a) acquitted of rape charges and (b) charged with rape but the charges were later withdrawn, with particular reference to those whose names have been published.

Keith Bradley: If the individual believed that an acquittal or withdrawal was insufficient to clear his name and there were grounds for claiming that the prosecution was malicious and brought without reasonable cause, it would be open to him to bring a civil claim against the person or authority responsible. If there was evidence to suggest that a malicious complaint had been made, it would be open to the police and Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether a criminal offence had been committed. If there had been improper or unreasonable behaviour on the part of the police, a complaint could be made to the Chief Officer of the force concerned.

Rape

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men charged with rape were subsequently (a) acquitted and (b) had charges withdrawn in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Keith Bradley: The number of men charged with rape is not recorded centrally.
	Available information held centrally showing the number of men proceeded against at all courts for rape together with the numbers acquitted or who had the proceedings against them withdrawn is given in the table.
	
		The numbers of men proceeded against for rape together with the numbers subsequently acquitted or who had the charge withdrawn, England and Wales 1990–99
		
			  Number proceeded against Number acquitted or withdrawn 
		
		
			 1990 1,463 552 
			 1991 1,702 614 
			 1992 1,647 630 
			 1993 1,701 622 
			 1994 1,780 698 
			 1995 1,622 718 
			 1996 1,751 790 
			 1997 1,948 856 
			 1998 2,174 1,088 
			 1999 2,153 1,103

Parenting Classes

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the projects that his Department is funding in the current financial year that (a) provide parenting classes for adults and (b) otherwise include a parenting skills element.

David Blunkett: The Family Policy Unit at the Home Office under Family Support Grant (FSG) funds voluntary sector projects aimed at providing support for parents in their parenting role. Not all projects funded provide parenting classes as it is accepted that some parents prefer other methods, though all the funded work aims at supporting parents in their parenting role. Additionally not all the funded projects provide direct face-to-face services to adults as some like the National Family and Parenting Institute and Parentline Plus have a national role, such as the provision of information or a freephone telephone helpline, while some produce support materials to be used across the voluntary sector.
	Following the last Spending Review the current total available to voluntary organisations through the Family Support Grant is £5.6 million per year for a three year period beginning 1 April 2001. The emphasis of the grant is on evaluated practice, developing new or existing models of practice in new ways and on dissemination or replication of good practice and effective work rather than routinely supporting locally delivered programmes.
	Following is a list of the organisations that currently receive funding under Family Support Grant. However, in addition to the list, there are other projects, funded through the Department for Education and Skills, local government and carry-over from previous Home Office programmes. Such programmes will be a key priority for the development of the Childrens Fund.
	National Family and Parenting Institute
	Parentline Plus (three projects)
	National Council for One Parent Families (two projects)
	Parenting Education Support Forum (five projects)
	Contact a Family (two projects)
	National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations (two projects)
	Trust for the Study of Adolescence (five projects)
	After Adoption (two projects)
	Fathers Direct (two projects)
	YMCA (three projects)
	PIPPIN (two projects)
	Ormiston Trust
	Divert Trust (three projects)
	Working with Men
	National Association of Child Contact Centres (two projects)
	Black Development Agency
	The Warren
	Coram Families
	National Newpin
	Child Psychotherapy Trust (two projects)
	Race Equality Unit (two projects)
	Family Rights Group
	Peers Early Education Partnerships
	Newham Bengali Community Trust
	Family Welfare Association
	Disability Pregnancy Parenthood International/Disabled Parents Network (two projects)
	Positive Parenting Publications
	Family Planning Association
	Health Advocacy for Turkish and Kurdish Speaking Communities
	Crime Concern
	Norwood Ravenswood
	RPS Rainer
	Young Voice (two projects)
	Barnardos Byker Sands
	SCOPE (two projects)
	Family Matters Institute
	National Children's Centre
	East Lancashire Deaf Society
	PACE
	Community Education Development Centre (two projects)
	Ealing MENCAP
	Family Links
	Asian Women's Project
	National Childbirth Trust
	YWCA
	One Plus One
	SENSE
	Ann Craft Trust
	KJ Academy
	Federation of Prisoners Family Support Groups
	Young Minds
	Care for the Family
	Drugline
	St. Anne's
	Leeds Animation Workshop
	Kidscape
	Refugee Lifeline
	Kimia Clinic Trust
	Change North
	Oxfordshire Council for Voluntary Action
	Drugscope
	Relate South Essex
	Markfield Project
	Brent Irish Advisory Service
	North Derbyshire Child Clubs Network.

Life Sentences

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions took place for offences carrying a potential life sentence in each year since 1974; how many resulted in conviction; and how many of those convictions were reversed at appeal.

Keith Bradley: The information requested is available only at disproportionate cost.

Mediation Services

David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support has been given by his Department to Mediation UK in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement about Government support for local mediation services.

Angela Eagle: In 1999, the Home Office awarded a one-off grant of £30,000 towards Mediation UK's core costs. In both 2000–01 and 2001–02 the Home Office has granted £15,000 to Mediation UK as part of a joint funding exercise to provide core funding that also includes the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Department of Health and the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
	The Government acknowledge the valuable work done by local mediation services but funding of this work is of course at the discretion of local authorities.

Charity and Voluntary Sector

Ann Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the review of charity and voluntary sector policy.

Angela Eagle: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked the Performance and Innovation Unit to undertake a broad-ranging review of the legal and regulatory framework for charities and the wider voluntary and community sector and to bring forward proposals for reform. The project is expected to finish in the winter of 2001–02.

Air Weapons

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences were recorded involving the use of an air weapon in each year from 1997.

John Denham: The available information has been published in "Criminal Statistics England and Wales 1999". The details are as follows:
	
		
			  Year Number of recorded crimes involving an air weapon 
		
		
			 1997 7,506 
			 1997–98 7,902 
			 1998–99 8,665 
			 1999–2000 10,103 
		
	
	1997 is the calendar year, with the others being financial years. There was a change in the counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, and hence figures before and after that date are not directly comparable.

Electoral Law

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received since 1997 in favour of permitting citizens of other EU member states to vote in general elections.

Alan Whitehead: I have been asked to reply.
	Since May 1997 there have been 28 letters from Members of Parliament seeking information about extending the parliamentary franchise to EU citizens. The Government's view is that extending the franchise in this way would need to be by reciprocal agreement with all other EU member states. There are no current proposals by the European Commission for action in this area.

Royal Travel

Alan Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of royal travel by (a) the Royal Flight, (b) the Royal Train and (c) commercial airlines in the last year before the grant-in- aid to the Palace for royal travel was introduced.

Stephen Byers: I have been asked to reply.
	Precise information for the year in question— 1996–97—is not readily available. The initial budget of £19.385 million for the grant-in-aid for royal travel by rail and air was based on the estimated costs of royal travel in 1996–97. The resource budget for air travel by 32 (The Royal) Squadron was £16.57 million after adjusting for depreciation and interest charges on the capital values, airframe and engineering costs, the expected number of royal flying hours in 1997–98, overhead and administration charges, inflation and VAT. The budget for flying by other operators was £711,000. The budget for rail travel (which included both fixed and variable costs of the Royal Train) was £18.9 million. £331,000 was allocated for administration costs.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

People's Peers

Gordon Prentice: To ask the President of the Council when the House of Lords Appointments Commission intends to launch its regional road shows to attract applications from aspiring people's peers

Robin Cook: The House of Lords Appointments Commission launched its programme of regional visits in September 2000. I understand that it has already visited Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester and Belfast.